Abstract
1. The intravenous injection of the acetate, succinate and benzoate of mercury into cats, dogs and rabbits produced a sudden fall in blood pressure which was very marked and persistent. Depression and later paralysis of respiration also occurred.
2. Cardiac inhibition was produced by the intravenous injection of the salts of mercury in cats, but not in dogs or in rabbits.
3. Decreased irritability of the vagus was observed in cats after the intravenous injection of the organic salts of mercury.
4. That the fall in blood pressure after mercury was of cardiac origin was shown by observations on changes in the volume of the kidney.
5. Perfusion of the turtle heart with the different salts of mercury produced cardiac depression, irregularity and delirium cordis. Concentrations of one part of mercury to one million parts of Ringer's solution, and even one to ten million, were effective.
6. The frog heart was more resistant to mercury than the turtle heart. No delirium cordis was observed.
7. The action of mercury is cumulative.
Footnotes
- Received September 15, 1921.
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