DOES QUININE IN THE INDUCTION OF LABOR HAVE A DELETERIOUS EFFECT ON THE FETUS

Quinine for many years has been credited with oxytocic properties, but there appears to be some difference of opinion as regards its efficiency when so employed. Sollmann1states that "moderate doses of quinine stimulate, and high doses depress, the contractions and tone of the uterus, excised and in situ. The stimulant action increases with the excitability of the uterus in the process of pregnancy. Clinically, quinine has little or no effects unless the pains have started. It is therefore ineffective for inducing premature labor." He further states that it is used clinically to stimulate weak labor pains but adds that it is often difficult to prove the clinical response after oral administration because of the slow absorption. Dodek,2working in the same institution under Sollmann's guidance and employing a new recording apparatus, found that the drug had no effect when administered to two pregnant women at term and