Stimulation of Sympathetic Centers by Histamine

Abstract

Contraction of the nictitating membrane of the cat following intravenous injections of histamine persisted after adrenalectomy when cocaine had been injected. Since histamine has no direct effect on the nictitating membrane and since its action on the Superior cervical ganglion is abolished by cocaine, the effect seemed to be due to an action of histamine in the central nervous system. Proof has been obtained that it has such an action. In addition, injections of small doses of histamine into the ventricles of the cat's brain have been found to cause a rise of systemic blood pressure which was of central origin.