Abstract

1. Ortal sodium and sodium amytal decrease the general tonus and the amplitude of the rhythmic contractions of duodenal, jejunal and ileal loops in non-anesthetized dogs.

2. In the intact intestine of the non-anesthetized dog the duration of the decreased tonus and of the amplitude of the rhythmical contraction is less with ortal sodium than with sodium amytal. These findings are the reverse of those previously obtained on excised intestine.

3. High hydrostatic pressure (30 cm. water) within the balloon definitely decreases the speed of recovery of the tissue from the effects of these drugs. In this work pressures of 15 cm. were used in the ileum and jejunum almost entirely and 8 cm. in the duodenum.