Abstract
The action of p-indolylethylamine varies in several respects according to the reports of different workers, and these variations seem to be due to the difference in purity of the base employed by them. In order to determine the action of the base the authors made experiments on rabbits by using geburamine, the acetate of p-indolylethylamine, which was proved to be chemically pure, and the results obtained are as follows : -
The base first stimulates the central nervous system, giving rise to acceleration of the respiration and convulsions, and later paralyzes it, arresting the voluntary and respiratory movements. In small doses it causes a slight rise in the blood-pressure due to the increase in the rate and amplitude of the heart beats and constriction of the vessels ; while in large doses a fall by depressing the heart and dilating the vessels. It increases the tone and movements of the uterus through its action on the contractile elements, but in large doses decreases them. Moreover, it has an action to paralyze the augmentary sympathetic ends of the uterus, which is usually overshadowed by the muscular action.
