CHEMICAL MEDIATORS IN THE AQUEOUS HUMOR

Abstract

The liberation of the chemical mediators in the aqueous humor, after stimulation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of the eyes, was studied in 79 expts. performed on rabbits and cats. The results obtained on rabbits were so inconsistent that it is impossible to draw any conclusion from them. On normal and on operated cats (preganglionic cervical sympathetic denervation on one side) sympathetic stimulation does not release measurable concs. of sympathin; but it is demonstrably present if the sympathetic is stimulated after the animal was cocainized. After cocaine the operated side releases a larger amt. of sympathin than the normal side under the same post-ganglionic stimulation. Engelhart''s observation on rabbits was confirmed. On cats similar results were obtained, i.e., reflex stimulation of the parasympathetic nerves of the eye released acetylcholine in the aqueous humor.