The hypothermic and anti-pyretic effect of preparations of A.C.T.H / W.W. Douglas, W.D.M. Paton.

  • Douglas, W. W.
Date:
1952?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The hypothermic and anti-pyretic effect of preparations of A.C.T.H / W.W. Douglas, W.D.M. Paton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    EFFECT OF PREPARATIONS OF A.C.T.H. W. W. Douglas W. D. M. Patox M.D. Glasg. M.A., B.M. Oxfd From the National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London A common effect of a.c.t.h. in febrile conditions is to lower the body-temperature or even to restore it to normal. This action is usually attributed, by implication at least, to a modification of the disease through the release of adrenal cortical hormones, the lowering of body- temperature being regarded as secondary to this. We find, however, that preparations of a.c.t.h. lower body- temperature even in the absence of pyrexia. During routine investigation of samples of a.c.t.h., which involved tests for freedom from contamination by pyrogenic material during manufacture, it was observed that all the samples of a.c.t.h. tested lowered the normal body-temperature of the rabbits used. METHODS The rectal temperatures of trained docile Himalayan rabbits in good health and weighing about 2 kg. were measured with thermocouples enclosed in rubber catheters and inserted 6 in. into the rectum. The animals sat in metal boxes, being restrained only by a metal collar round their necks. Under these conditions, they remained quiet for many hours and retained the catheters in situ during the whole period of the test. The room-temperature was maintained between 19° and 22°C. Injec¬ tions were -HO made into C the margi¬ nal vein of the ear *4 % k! JK with pyro- K gen -free & glas sware, 5 nee dies, £vf M.3 and saline solution. £ V ario u s K samp 1 e s G of A.C.T.H. were used, e a c h of which had been sub- mitted at Fig* I—Effect of intravenous A.C.T.H., batch 4, I unit various per kg* of body-weight on body-temperature of eight times to be rabbits, tested for freedom from pyrogens. We have given them arbitrary batch numbers 1-9. We shall usually refer to this material simply as a.c.t.h., although it certainly contains other substances.