AN ESERINE‐LIKE ACTION OF CHLORAL HYDRATE

Abstract

The intra-arterial injection of chloral hydrate potentiated the transmission of nerve impulses through the cat superior cervical ganglion, antagonized the ganglion-blocking action of hexamethonium, and greatly enhanced the ganglion-stimulant action of acetylcholine. Effects on the ganglion-stimulant actions of carbachol, nicotine, tetramethylammonium and potassium chloride were slight or absent. Chloral hydrate itself usually had no direct stimulant action. The neuromuscular-blocking action of tubocurarine on the isolated rat diaphragm preparation was completely and rapidly reversed by chloral hydrate. This reversal was prevented by previous treatment of the muscle with neostigmine. Chloral hydrate potentiated the actions of acetylcholine and nicotine on the isolated rabbit duodenum, and, in concentrations exceeding 1 mg/ml., produced a spasm which was abolished by hyoscine but not by mepyramine. It was concluded that these eserine-like effects were manifestations of an anticholinesterase action of chloral hydrate. Neither chloralose nor trichlorethanol showed evidence of this property.