The Prophylactic Action of Atropine Sulphate upon the Anaphylactic and Allergic Reactions of the Excised Uterus of Virgin Guinea-Pigs

Summary and Conclusions

1. 1. That the response of uteri from sensitized guinea-pigs is specific for antigen has been verified.

2. 2. Doses of atropine from 1 to 4 cc. of a 1 per cent solution added to 25 cc. Tyrode's solution prevents the action of otherwise reactive doses of an antigen when applied to the horns of the uterus of a virgin guinea-pig. Smaller doses of atropine produce an increase in the tone of the uterine muscle, but larger doses (4 cc. 1 per cent) inhibit spontaneous contractions or decrease the tone slightly.

3. 3. That the atropine does not paralyze the uterine muscle is shown by the fact that pituitrin added to the solution invariably results in contraction following the administration of atropine.

4. 4. It is suggested that the antigen acts upon the same mechanism in the neuromuscular complex of the uterus as does pilocarpine. Its action is therefore neutralized by atropine.

5. 5. From the foregoing data we would seem warranted in assuming that that portion of the neuromuscular mechanism known as the myoneural junction plays an important ròle in specific response of uterine strips from sensitized virgin guinea-pigs.