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. 1964 Jun;22(3):558–576. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1964.tb01710.x

The effects of physostigmine on the mechanical and electrical responses of the cat nictitating membrane

W C Bowman, B A Callingham, A W Cuthbert
PMCID: PMC1703932  PMID: 14211686

Abstract

The effects of physostigmine on the electrical and mechanical responses of the nictitating membrane elicited by single nerve shocks have been studied in cats anaesthetized with a mixture of chloralose and pentobarbitone. The results were variable but the most consistent effect, observed with large doses of physostigmine, was a depression and prolongation of the contractions which was sometimes associated with augmentation of the characteristic rhythmic electrical activity of the smooth muscle. Although the amplitude of single responses was depressed, incomplete tetanic contractions were sometimes increased in tension because of the greater fusion which occurred as a result of prolongation of the units of contraction. Possible mechanisms underlying the effect of physostigmine are discussed.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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