The action of ergot is not limited to the vascular apparatus. The arterial anaemia which it induces may serve to explain the cerebral effects which follow its free administration in man, but, besides these, the functions of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves undergo changes. In frogs ergot induces paralysis, beginning in the hind extremities, and thence involving all parts, the circulation and respiration being the last to yield. In warm-blooded animals the same effects are produced, and, if the action continues, finally the cardiac and respiratory centers are paralyzed. By Zweifel these central effects are held to be the principal, and all others merely secondary. On the other hand, the depression in the motor and reflex functions of the cord may be explained by the arterial anaemia, which is an undisputed effect of ergot, how much soever the mechanism of its production may be disputed. Indeed, it must be admitted that the actions of ergot are still subjudice. The numerous and often diverse views which have been expressed may be in part explained by the character of the preparations. There can be no doubt that the active constituents are unstable, and hence the pharmaceutical products vary, not only in the degree, but decidedly also in the character, of the actions. In Köh-ler's investigation, in which he compared the ergotin of Wiggers and Bonjean, there were very wide differences between them. The ergotin of Bonjean—an aqueous extract—excites the vaso-motor center in the medulla and the cardiac inhibitory center, and very large doses paralyze the heart, the muscular tissue losing its excitability to galvanism. Wiggers's ergotin has no effect on the vascular apparatus. In these experiments of Köhler, with which Eberty was associated, the power of ergot to increase the blood-pressure is an important point. The attentive reader will observe that in these experiments the heart was paralyzed, and the irritability of its muscular tissue destroyed. Wiggers's ergotin causes cramps of the intestines, and violent inflammation of the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, effects which never result from Bonjean's. Both kinds of ergotin lower the temperature, and both retard the respiration. Bonjean's ergotin diminishes the irritability of the peripheral motor nerves, and Wiggers's increases it. Both lessen the irritability of the sensory nerves. Köhler concludes that, when it is desired to slow the heart, contract the vessels, diminish reflex actions, and lessen temperature, the ergotin of Bonjean should be used.

The physiological action of sclerotinic acid has been carefully studied by Nikitin in Rossbach's laboratory. He starts out by affirming the identity of action between this principle and ergot. In frogs the reflex excitability of the spinal cord is reduced, then destroyed, but in warm-blooded animals it is reduced only. It does not affect the irritability of the motor nerves, nor the contractility of the muscles, but when brought in contact with sensory nerves, paralyzes them. Sclerotinic acid depresses the action of the heart in frogs, but not in mammals. In toxic doses it lowers the blood-pressure and reduces the temperature. The respiration is slowed, and, when toxic doses are given, the movements of respiration cease before the heart stops. The peristaltic movements are increased in warm-blooded animals, and the uterus, whether gravid or not, is excited to action. Death is due to paralysis of respiration.

Sclerotinic acid has been freely prescribed by Von Hoist, who finds it possessed of a high degree of activity, but other clinicians have been less successful—thus |Kobert, of Halle, finds it can not be substituted for ergot. In my own experiments, I have found it produce effects, but not those of ergot proper. Sclerotinic acid is separated by alcohol, but Handelin, who had investigated this subject under the superior direction of Schmiedeberg, finds that ergot loses none of its activity by being extracted with alcohol. Handelin's experiments, made with an aqueous extract, present some points of interest. He found that small doses cause anaesthesia and impair the power of coordination, and large doses paralyze reflex and voluntary motions. As the peripheral nerves are unaffected, the paralysis is centric. Small doses lower the blood-pressure temporarily, and large doses permanently. The pulse is at first quickened, and then declines, becoming more and more slow until the heart is arrested.

The first trials with Tanret's crystallized ergotinine were made by Dr. Mole, who found it as effective in uterine haemorrhage as ergot. The amount that he administered did not exceed four milligrammes in twenty-four hours. Galippe and Budin have also experimented with ergotinine on frogs, cats, and dogs, and produced many of the effects ascribed to ergot, namely, slowing of the pulse, reduction of temperature, paralysis, and convulsions. Peton, another investigator, has also experimented with ergotinine, the results of the action being contraction of the arteries, restlessness, trembling, diarrhoea, etc.

An examination of the results obtained from the experimental and clinical trials with the so-called principles and alkaloids of ergot demonstrates that in no single one are contained all the powers and properties of the drug. It is also evident that ergot, and those principles possessing its powers most nearly, depress the heart, and lower rather than elevate the tension of the arteries. The contraction of the arteries is not, therefore, an active contraction; and, as the blood accumulates in the veins, there is an anaemia of the cerebrospinal axis and of the organic muscular fiber. To this condition of things may be referred the phenomena resulting from the exhibition of ergot.