The toxicity of caffein : an experimental study on different species of animals / By William Salant and J. B. Rieger.

  • Salant, William, 1870-1943.
Date:
1912
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The toxicity of caffein : an experimental study on different species of animals / By William Salant and J. B. Rieger. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    same aa in Noa. 336 and 337, diet as a factor in acute caffein intoxication may be diw- regarded. The greater resistance to caffein of these four rabbits is in all ])robability due, therefore, to a difference of race. This suggestion gained additional support from the experiments of the next series. Series C. The object of these experiments was to determine the minimum fatal dose for the gray rabbit and to obtain addit ional evidence as to the toxicity of caffein in the several varieties of rabbits. Eight experiments were performed, in which from 230 to 252 mg per kilo were given. The white rabbits, three in number, received 250, 242, and 238 mg per kilo. All the others (which were Belgian hares) received from 236 to 252 mg per kilo. Two of the white rabbits were fed carrots for one week preceding the injec- tion of caffein. The other was fed oats. Three of the Belgian hares were on a diet of oats, two were fed carrots the week before the experiment with caffein. Rabbit 122. While, female. Weight, 2,060 grams. Diet, oats. April 14: 25 cc of 2 per cent caffein (250 mg per kilo) in aqueous solution injected Bubcutaneously in the back at 1.35 p. m.; 4.30 p. m., tremors, reflexes increased, condition otlierwise good. April lO: 9 a. m., found dead in cage. Autopsy: Liver deeply congested; kidneys congested in cortex and medulla; stomach showed small hemorrhagic areas, perforating ulcers in pyloric portion; small intestine petechiated on mucosa; lungs and spleen normal. Rabbit 234. White, female. Weight, 1,650 gram^. Diet, November 2-9, carrots. November 9: 10.45 a. m., 20 cc 2 per cent caffein (242 mg per kilo) administered subcutaneously. November 10: 9 p. m., found dead. Rabbit 335. Gray hare, female. Weight, 1,170 grams. Diet, March 31 to April 7, carrots. f April 7: 9.30 a. m., 14 cc 2 per cent caffein solution (240 m^ per kilo) injected sub- cutaneously in the back; 10.30, reflexes much increased, rabbit is extremely sensitive. April 8: 9 a. m., found dead. Autopsy: Liver was congested and contained several coccidiosis nodules; stomach distended with rather dry food mass; mucosa exhibited mild catarrhal inflammation; mucosa of intestines also slightly inflamed. Rabbit 249. Belgian hare, female. Weight, 1,185 grams. Diet, oats. November 11: Urine, 5 cc, from bladder acid to litmus, no sugar, no albumin; 11.50 a. m., 14 cc 2 per cent caffein (236 mg per kilo) administered subcutaneously; 3.45 p. m., reflexes increased, hyperaeathesia marked, but no tetanus, even when handled; 30 cc urine collected at 4 p. m., reduction of Fehling's solution considerable. November 12: 10 a. m., 8 cc urine collected, reduction heavy, only a few cubic centimeters obtained from bladder, did not contain any sugar, general condition of rabbit good, no symptom of caffein intoxication. Rabbit 321. Yellow, female. Weight, 1,135 grams. Diet, oats. March 16, 1910: 11.50 a. m., 14 cc 2 per cent caffein (246 mg per kilo) injected sub- cutaneously in the back; 2 p. m., reflexes increased, is very sensitive, started to run when put on floor, no handling except what was required for removal and return to cage, feces soft. March 17: 9.30 a. m., condition good, rabbit put on floor, gait normal, but does not care to walk. March 18: 9 a. m., walks around when put on floor, appetite good, condition seems to be normal. March 25: 11 a. m., rabbit still alive, condition good. Rabbit 250. Belgian hare, female. Weight, 1,4S5 grams. Diet, oats at least two days before the experiment. November 11: 11 a. m., urine obtained from bladder acid to litmus, no albumin, no sugar; 11.10 a. m., 18cc, 2 per cent caffein (252 mg per kilo); 3.45 p.m., reflexes and hyperaesthesia, no tetanus; 4 p. m., 60 cc urine, marked reduction of Fehling's solution. November 12: 10 a. m., condition of rabbit good, no symptoms of caffein intoxication, 80 cc urine collected, sugar considerable, only a few cubic centimeters of urine obtained from bladder, no reduction of Fehling's solution.