D. I. Macht, H. Leach
May 1, 1930
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Journal
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Abstract
1. Twenty-three stereoisomeric octyl alcohols, the largest number on record, have been studied pharmacologically. 2. The activity of the various isomers was investigated by zoopharmacological, micropharmacological, psychopharmacological, and phytopharmacological methods, and it was found that the different isomers exhibited quantitatively different effects. 3. The relative order of potency, or activity, of the series was found to be constant for different specific functions of a given class of test objects, but this relative order was different for different classes of animals and plants and was also not the same for different physiological functions of the same individuals. 4. Combinations or mixtures of two or more octyl alcohols exhibited synergistic effects. 5. The results of the investigation show the necessity of employing pure definite chemical entities in all experimental physiological and pharmacological work. 6. A comparison of different sets of data obtained emphasizes the futility of sweeping generalizations at the present stage of chemical and biological sciences in regard to the relationships between chemical structure and physiological action. 7. Whenever chemicopharmacodynamic relationships are studied, even within a very limited sphere, general statements should be based on actual experimental evidence, and inferences obtained from a study of a given physiological function are not applicable per se to other functions which have not been studied.