578 The Philippine Journal of Science 1923 



this method of administration 0.4 milligram proved fatal in 

 Sollmann's experiment. In the present experiment a dose of 

 0.35 milligram produced the same result in one dog, while an- 

 other survived this amount and succumbed to a later adminis- 

 tration of 0.4 milligram. It will be seen, therefore, that these 

 differences do not furnish a wide variation and that Sollmann's 

 findings and mine coincide substantially in all essential par- 

 ticulars. 



The minimal lethal dose (0.75 milligram) of Kaufmann(6) 

 calculated per kilogram of body weight is found to be 2.14 

 times the minimal lethal dose for subcutaneous administration 

 (0.35 milligram) obtained in the present experiment. This 

 finding corroborates the statements emanating from Winslow(l4) 

 and Hale, (4) based upon experimental evidence, to the effect 

 that the fatal dose as given by Kaufmann(6) is entirely too 

 large. The smallest therapeutic dose per kilogram fixed by 

 Winslow, Frohner,(3) a ndUdallU3) is [0.0001 milligram (% .o)] 

 and is only 28.6 per cent of the minimal lethal dose as obtained 

 in the present experiment. But the smallest therapeutic doses 

 for gross use given by Dun, (2) Frohner, Udall, and Brumleyd) 

 are greater than the minimal lethal dose obtained in this experi- 

 ment by 0.30, 0.58, 0.65, and 0.69 milligram, respectively. When 

 it is considered that the toy varieties of dogs, such as the dif- 

 ferent kinds of poodles, spaniels, Pekingese, and terriers, con- 

 stitute a large percentage of the canine patients encountered in 

 practice in the Philippines, an explanation of many cases of 

 poisoning is presented that is easily understood. 



Although the different investigators are at variance as to the 

 exact length of time required for the complete elimination of 

 strychnine, it is at least admitted that the drug is retained in 

 the system for some time. Udall (13) advises that when the 

 drug is given in doses that closely approach the maximum its 

 administration be omitted every third day. Dun (2) warns 

 against too frequent administration of the drug; and the results 

 of the experiment summarized in Tables 7 and 8 prove that the 

 practice of too frequent dosing with strychnine is prolific of 

 dangerous consequences. It may be contended that the dogs 

 referred to above, being experimental animals, were exhausted, 

 depressed, debilitated, and weak; but, even admitting the 

 correctness of the contention, it is precisely in these conditions 

 that strychnine finds its therapeutic indication. 



It is a matter of general knowledge that isolated cases of in- 

 creased susceptibility or individual idiosyncrasy to strychnine are 



