SCIENTIFIC PROCEEDINGS. 



i (610) 



Experimental pernicious anemia. 

 By HERMAN M. ADLER. 



[From the Laboratory of the Danvers State Hospital.] 



These experiments were performed on rabbits; fourteen rabbits 

 in all were employed. Olive oil was fed in varying doses. Two 

 feedings of io c.c. of olive oil per kilo of body weight sufficed to 

 kill after 5 days. 6 c.c. per kilo weight killed in six days when 

 fed daily. 5 c.c. per kilo weight did not kill but produced secondary 

 anemia with blood crises presenting the picture of pernicious 

 anemia — blood count 4 to 5,000,000, Hb. 50 per cent, or less, 

 achromia, irregularity in size and shape, polychromatophilia, 

 stipling, blasts. 



Eight rabbits were thus subjected to chronic poisoning with 

 olive oil. Of these, three had previously been daily fed (for about 

 a year) 0.3 gram quinine. Three rabbits had been treated for 

 three months with intravenous injection of 0.01 gram quinine 

 daily. The remaining two received daily feedings of olive oil 

 without previous treatment. In all of these rabbits the blood 

 picture of secondary anemia developed within a few days. In 

 four the blood picture of pernicious anemia developed in from 2-3 

 months. The anemia was not constant but varied considerably. 

 The weight curve approximately followed the appearance of the 

 blood; dropping sharply as the anemia became apparent, rising 

 as the anemia improved. Five of these rabbits showed marked 

 impairment of nutrition during the entire course, the younger 

 ones being decidedly stunted in their development. The three 

 rabbits that had been fed quinine per os showed less severe 

 disturbances and none of them have thus far (after i}/2 years) 

 shown the picture of pernicious anemia. The weight and blood 



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