Studies on the relationship between chemical constitution and physiological action

Abstract

The miotic activities of the methyl urethanes of the hydroxybenzyldimethylamines are in order ortho>para>meta. Conversion of the tertiary N into quaternary ammonium group increases the activity of ortho, diminishes that of meta, and abolishes that of para. The derivatives of choline iodide and of tropine were found inactive in 2% solution, confirming the view that miotics are substituted phenyl, as distinguished from alkyl, esters of carbamic acids. The ethyl and phenyl urethanes were not active.