SOME AUTONOMIC EFFECTS OF PHYSALIA TOXIN

The toxin from Physalia nematocysts, given in sublethal doses, has been shown to depress arterial pressure, and prolong the effect of epinephrine in anesthetized rats. Its ability to contract the isolated ileum is not altered by treatment with atropine, an antihistamine, nor the ganglionic blocking agent, hexamethonium, which indicates a direct, non-cholinergic, non-histaminic, stimulating action on smooth muscle. © 1969.