The Effect of Tetraethylammonium on the Small Bowel of Man

Present evidence indicates that tetraethylammonium ion blocks autonomic effector systems at their ganglia.Injection of the drug prevents the passage through the superior cervical ganglion of nerve impulses to the nictitating membrane of the cat (1).Similarly, there occurs inhibition of the effect on the decentralized heart of preganglionic stimulation of either vagal cardio-inhibitory fibers or of the cardio-accellerators (2).The sharp fall in arterial blood pressure accompanying intra- venous injection results from ganglionic blockade of the sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerves (2).The action of tetraethylammonium has been ex- tensively studied in man by Lyons and his as- sociates (3 to 5).After single intravenous injec- tion of 200 to 300 mgm. of the chloride salt there is a fall in blood pressure and a rise in heart rate.These values have usually returned to normal in 10 to 15 minutes after injection.There is an ac- companying sensation of tingling and warmth of the face and extremities and sometimes drowsiness and momentary paralysis of accommodation.