ON THE PHARMACOLOGY OF THE URETER III. ACTION OF THE OPIUM ALKALOIDS
- From the Pharmacological Laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University, and the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Baltimore
Abstract
1. The opium alkaloids in respect to their action on the ureter, in vitro and in corpore may be divided into two groups, according to their chemical structure—the pyridin-phenanthrene group of which morphin and codein are the chief representatives, and the benzyl-isoquinoline group of which the most important members are papaverin and narcotin.
2. Morphin and its allied alkaloids increase the contractions and produce a greater tonicity of the ureter.
3. Papaverin and its allied alkaloids produce a slowing or total inhibition of the contractions and a relaxation of the tonus.
4. In pantopium (total opium alkaloids) and other combinations the effect of the benzyl-isoquinoline alkaloids predominates.
5. In spasmodic conditions of the ureter (renal colic) the employment of papaverin or total opium alkaloids is more rational than that of morphin alone.
6. The slight toxicity of papaverin, its tonus lowering power, and its local analgesic properties suggest its local application in spasmodic conditions of the ureter.
Footnotes
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- Received December 15, 1916.
