The pharmacological analysis of the hyperthermia caused by phenamine (amphetamine)

Intraperitoneal injection of large doses (15-20 mg/kg) of phenamine (amphetamine) caused a pronounced hyperthermic reaction in rabbits and cats. At the same time as the temperature in the peritoneal cavity began to rise, an increase in the skin temperature was also observed. In thalamic cats the hyperthermy was somewhat more pronounced than in normal cats. This reaction was inconstant and more feeble in cats decerebrated at the level between the thalamus and the quadrigemina. If the decerebration was made between the superior and inferior quadrigeminal bodies, phenamine did not cause any hyperthermic reaction. Administration of ganglion blocking drugs (hexonium, cyclamine) in doses sufficient to block the autonomie ganglia did not prevent the increase of the temperature induced by phenamine. This reaction could be prevented or abolished by injection of neuromuscular blocking drugs (procurane, diplacine) in doses, which produce muscular relaxation.