Abstract

The response of the smooth muscle of the splanchnic and nasal blood vessels and the vagina to sympathetic nerve stimulation was studied before and after ergotamine and without the drug. Ergotamine alters the response, so that the resulting contraction curve is an exaggeration of that seen in fatigue. The alkaloid therefore appears to behave toward sympathetic neuro-muscular structures much as curare does toward the skeletal (Boehm).

Ergotamine probably produces this effect by acting on nerve (including myo-neural substance) and muscle. Curare on the other hand gives rise to no change in the muscle.

Experiments performed on the volume of the nasal cavity with sympathetic stimulation after ergotamine support Dale's view that the vasomotor reversal seen after ergotoxine is due to unparalyzed vasodilator nerves.