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
Catalogue details

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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    Series V. Experimenta were performed on five cats which received from MO to 155 mg per kilo, as follows: Cat 24. Striped. Weight, 1,.MO grams. October 25: 10 a. m., 50 cc urine, albumin moderate amount—no sugar; 10 cc caffein injected subcutaneously at 12 noon; 12.80, irritable, cried persistently, no appetite; 4 p. m., no convulsions, but persistent crying. October 27: Cat was still alive. Cat 17. Weight, 2,030 grams. October 12: 9.30 a. m., G5 cc urine collected; more than a trace of albumin present, no reduction of Fehling's solution; 3 p. m., 20 cc 2 per cent caffein (150 mg per kilo) injected subcutaneously; 3.15 p. m., irritable and restless. October l.'i: 9 a. m., about 15 cc urine collected, reduction of Fehling'a solution marked; osazone test also positive. Cat 23. Black and white. Weight, J,645 grams. October 25: 10 a. m., 140 cc urine collected (since October 23), small amount of albumin present, no sugar. October 27: 9 a. m., no albumin; no sugar in urine; 11.50 a. m., 12.5 cc caffein injected subcutaneously (0.15 gram per kilo); 1 p. m., convulsions and death. Cat 7. Striped kitten. Weight, 1,285 grams. October 11: Urine collected, no albumin, no sugar; 9.50 a. m., 10 cc 2 per cent caf- fein injected subcutaneously in the back; 10.10, violent convulsions lasting about 30 seconds; 10.20, convulsions of shorter duration; 10.30 convulsions; 10.35, convulsions lasting a few seconds; urine passed about 10.20, contained a moderate amount of albu- min, but there was no reduction of Fehling's solution; 10.45, profuse salivation and paralysis; died about 10.50. Cat 39. Yelloiv. Weight, 2,285 grams. April 13: 2.40 p. m., 16 cc 2 per cent caffein (0.14 gram per kilo) injected subcu- taneously in the back; 3.45 p. m., cat died. Of the five experiments of this series three died after doses of 140, 150, and 155 mg per kilo. The other two showed symptoms of toxicity, but survived a dose of 150 mg per kilo which indicated that the minimum fatal dose was probably reached. To test this supposition smaller doses were administered, as shown in the following experi- ments. Series D. Ten cats were used for this series of experiments, and the doses administered varied between 103 and 139 mg per kilo. The results shown in the appended table (p. —) in- dicate that about 120 to 140 mgof caffein per kilo may induce mild symptoms in some cases. The conclusion may be safely drawn therefore that 150 mg per kilo is approxi- mately the minimum fatal dose for the cat when the drug is given subcutaneously. That smaller doses are, however, by no means to be regarded as always safe is shown in the follo^ving experiments. Series E. Cat 4S. Weight, 3,225 grams.« September 14:10.20 a. m., 20 cc 2 per cent caffein (0.124gram per kilo) injected into the back; 11 a. m., tetanus and death. Autopsy: Lungs congested; liver congested and showed hemorrhagic spots in capsules and fatty degeneration; kidneys slightly congested; other organs normal. Cat 48. Black female. Weight, 3,050 grams. September 14:18 cc 2 per cent caffein (0.118 gram per kilo) injected subcutaneously in the back; 10.30 a. m., violent convulsions and death. Autopsy: Lungs congested in spots showing numerous petechia; liver congested; spleen congested; other organs normal. The diminished resistance to caffein of cats Nos. 43 and 48 might be due to the pathologic changes found on autopsy, for evidence is not wanting that the toxicity oCat probably old; had been in the laboratory for several weeks before the experiment. Gained in weight 175 grams.