Abstract
1. In respect to their action on all kinds of smooth muscle, the opium alkaloids can be divided into two classes: the pyridinphenanthrene group of which morphin is the principal member, and the benzyl-isoquinolin group of which papaverin is the principal member.
2. Morphin and its related alkaloids tend to increase the contractions and raise the tonus of smooth muscle.
3. Papaverin and its related alkaloids tend to inhibit the contractions and relax the tonus of smooth muscle.
4. The stimulating or pressor effect of morphin on smooth muscle seems to reside in the pyridin or piperidin portion of its molecule.
5. The inhibitory or depressor effect of papaverin on smooth muscle seems to reside in the benzyl portion of its molecule.
6. The above observations have been shown to be of practical value in rational therapeutics.
Footnotes
- Received May 21, 1918.
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