NEURO-MUSCULAR RESPONSE OF RATS TO GALVANIC STIMULI

Abstract

The white rat is a suitable laboratory animal for quantitation of neuro-muscular irritability to galvanic currents. Quantitative data are presented showing the amount of current required to cause muscular contraction, in relation to age, sex, weight, diet, anesthesia, and death. Deficiency of vitamins A, B and D, respectively, does not materially alter the response to galvanic stimuli. The current required to cause muscular contraction is less with older rats than with young animals. Neuro-muscular irritability in normal animals is probably a function of age and not of growth. The current required for stimulation varies from 0.5 to 1.0 milliampere.