Effect of Certain Drugs on Acuity of Hearing 143 



The range, in the remaining five cases, ran from 6 per cent, 

 minus to 8 per cent. plus. This means that to all intents and 

 purposes seventeen individuals heard the watch at exactly the 

 same distance when the test was repeated in an hour. It would 

 appear, therefore, that Macht, Greenberg and Isaacs had not 

 only overcome the variability in the watch test itself but had 

 also practically eliminated an experimental error in the factor 

 of attention. 



The writers determined to check on certain of the antipyretics 

 because it was stated that quinine increased the acuity of hear- 

 ing. The pitch range of 1000-1800 p.p.s. was used because this 

 particular range was normal for both ears of the subject. Each 

 test was conducted in a similar manner except one (sodium sali- 

 cylate). The minimum audibility for the scale 1000-1800 p.p.s. 

 was first determnied and then five grains of the drug was taken 

 in a gelatin capsule. The audibility test was repeated in one 

 hour, and at this time a second dose of ten grains was taken. 

 An audibility test was again made after an interval of another 

 hour. We realize that giving the drug in gelatin capsules has 

 certain disadvantages in the matter of absorption but feel this 

 objection is in part overcome by the second double dose. 



No appreciable effect was noted in the case of acetanilide, 

 acetphenetidin and pyramidon. By "no appreciable effect" is 

 meant there did not seem to be a difference which lay beyond 

 the amount of experimental error. However, in testing the re- 

 maining drugs much smaller steps in energy variations were 

 employed. The results were obtained in absolute values of in- 

 tensity for audibility under the various conditions. For the sake 

 of comparison, however, the results are given as ratios ; the sound 

 intensity required for audition after taking the drug being given 

 in terms of that required before taking. Thus the percentages 

 greater than 100 per cent, denote a decrease in acuity and the 

 figures less than 100 per cent, signify an increase in acuity. 

 Test I was made one hour after the original dose and Test II 

 one hour later as explained above. 



Drug Single Dose Double Dose 



Salol Test I. 84 per cent. Test II. 61 per cent. 



Aspirin Test I. 124 per cent. Test II. 124 per cent. 



Antipyrine Test I. 77 per cent. Test II. 77 per cent. 



Sodium salicylate. .Test I. (not taken) Test II. 175 per cent. 



