Abstract

1. Spontaneous rhythmic contractions are exhibited by both the circular and the longitudinal musculatures of the excised vaginae of dogs, cats, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, hogs and cows, when suspended in oxygenated Tyrode's solution at body temperature.

2. The application of drugs produces on the circular musculature of the excised vagina the same response as on the longitudinal.

3. The excised vaginae of rabbits, dogs, hogs, and sheep are stimulated by epinephrine, while those of cats, rats, guinea pigs and cows are depressed. Accordingly, the motor sympathetic innervation is the more powerful in the former species: and the inhibitory, in the latter.

4. After ergotoxine, the excised vagina of the rabbit is depressed, not stimulated, by epinephrine, so that the organ in this animal possesses an inhibitory sympathetic innervation as well as a motor.

5. By nicotine, the excised vagina of the rabbit is stimulated and then depressed, a phenomenon which confirms Keiffer's demonstration of ganglion cells within the wall of the organ.

6. Arecoline and physostigmine stimulate the excised vagina, which is in agreement with Falk's conclusions as to the presence of a parasympathetic innervation.

7. Pilocarpine usually stimulates the excised vagina, but it at times produces depression in that of the rat.

8. Atropine antagonizes the stimulating action of arecoline, physostigmine, and pilocarpine on the excised vagina.

9. Scopolamin either produces no effect or a depressant one on the excised vagina.

10. Ergot and hydrastis increase the amplitude of contractions but produce little change in the tone of the excised vagina.

11. Morphine, cocaine, pituitary extract, and barium chloride stimulate the excised vagina.

12. The excised vagina of the non-pregnant animal reacts to drugs, in most instances, like the uterus of its species.