ACUTE INTOXICATION BABBITS. 21 



same as in Nos. 336 and 337, diet as a factor in acute caffein intoxication may be dis- 

 regarded. The greater resistance to caffein of these four rabbits is in all probability 

 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 additional evidence as to the toxicity of caffein in the several 

 varieties of rabbits. Eight experiments were performed, in which from 236 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. White, female. Weight, 2,060 grams. Diet, oats. 



April 14: 25 cc of 2 per cent caffein (250 mg per kilo) in aqueous solution injected 

 eubcutoneously in the back at 1.35 p. m.; 4.30 p. m., tremors, reflexes increased, 

 condition otherwise good. 



April 16: 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 grams. 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 835. Gray hare, female. Weight, 1,170 grams. Diet, March 31 to April 7, 

 carrots. 



April 7: 9.30 a. m., 14 cc 2 per cent caffein solution (240 mg 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, hypereesthesia 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 821. 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, 1,435 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., 18 cc, 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, sugjar considerable, only a few cubic centimeters of urine obtained 

 from bladder, no reduction of Fehling's solution. 



