THE ACTION OF CALCIUM AND POTASSIUM IONS ON THE NICTITATING MEMBRANE, THE ADRENAL MEDULLA AND THE NON-PREGNANT UTERUS OF THE CAT

Abstract

The effects of intraven. injections of CaCl2 and KC1 on the nictitating membrane, the non-pregnant uterus and medulliadrenal secretion were studied in cats. Both ions have a stimulating action on medulliadrenal secretion. This action is both central, through the splanchnics, and peripheral, on the chromaffine cells of the gland. Both ions have a sympathomimetic action on the nictitating membrane, evoking a contraction. This effect is peripheral and is increased by degeneration of the nerve supply to the muscle. Neither ion has an autonomomimetic action on the non-pregnant uterus, since they both elicit a contraction and there are no nerves known to have a similar effect.