Abstract
The effects of antitussive drugs were determined on three respiratory functions in decerebrate and pentobarbitalized cats, namely, cough, sustained inspiration (apneusis), and pulmonary ventilation. Cough and sustained inspiratory responses were elicited with the stereotaxic technic by electrical stimulation in the dorsolateral and ventromedial portions, respectively, of the medulla oblongata. Pulmonary ventilation was observed concomitantly. The drugs employed were thiopental sodium, codeine phosphate, dextromethorphan hydrobromide (Romilar), bis (1-[carbo-β-dimethylaminoethoxy]-1-phenyl cyclopentane)-ethane disulfonate (Toryn) and sodium 2,6 di-terbutyl naphthalene sulfonate (Becantex). All these agents were effective in suppressing cough but each influenced differently the three aspects of respiration studied. The results obtained support a direct central action of the antitussive drugs in the inhibition of cough. Certain neurophysiological considerations of respiratory function are discussed.
Footnotes
- Received December 5, 1955.
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