Antipyretic Action of Dextrose. 137 



This observaton has led to an investigation of the action of 

 dextrose upon the heat regulation. 



The preceding table shows the effects of dextrose given per os 

 upon the temperature of three individuals, one of whom was in 

 normal health. (Readings were taken at half hourly intervals 

 but the curves are uniform enough for the first and last reading to 

 suffice.) 



Calorimetric Observations. — In each of the above experiments 

 also the heat production has been determined by the indirect 

 method, using the Benedict Respiration Chamber at the New 

 Haven Hospital. As would be expected, the CO2 excretion was 

 constantly above the basal levels for the same individuals; but 

 since the temperature falls, it is evident that dextrose effects a 

 marked increase in heat eliminating processes. The respiratory 

 quotients were also high; but the metabolism data are as yet 

 insufficient to make comparisons between febrile and normal 

 individuals. 



Dextrose in Rabbits. — The antipyretic action of dextrose given 

 per os has been confirmed in five rabbits with "peptone fever." 

 An average temperature fall of 0.8° in one half hour was obtained. 

 The former level was usually regained in about two hours. 



°c. 











































DEXT 



ROSE.+ 



H 2 0 



0 











40 



PEPTON 



E 



























L 



























39— 



r 



PEPTOt> 



E 

























9 A.M. 10 11 12 1P.M. 2 



Fig. 1. Unbroken line: Temperature of i,8oo-gm. rabbit. 9 c.c. of 20 per 

 cent. " bactopeptone " (subcutaneously), followed in 3 hours by 18 gms. dextrose 

 (by stomach tube) in 100 c.c. H 2 0 at 41° C. Broken line: Temperature of 1,730- 

 gm. rabbit. 85 c.c. of 20 per cent, "bactopeptone" followed in 3 hours by 100 c.c. 

 H2O at 41 0 C. 



The accompanying curve (Fig. 1) shows the temperature of 

 an 1,800-gm. "peptone" rabbit given 18 gms. of dextrose by 

 stomach tube in 100 c.c. of water heated to 41 ° C. The control 



