Abstract
In connection with the discussion by Beneke 1 and Wells 2 of waxy degeneration of muscle occurring in anaphylactic poisoning, and especially in view of Beneke's reference to the action of “brasilianischen Schlangengift” (Crotalus terrificus) the following notes on waxy degeneration in the rabbit following the intravenous injection of the venom of Crotalus adamanteus may be of interest.
In the course of three series 3 of experiments on a total of about 45 rabbits it was noted that the intravenous injection of venom was followed in three instances by waxy degeneration so wellmarked as to be evident macroscopically. In two of the animals, attention was called to the lesion by the presence of pale opaque focal area in the psoas mucsle. Microscopical examination of these areas showed that the muscle fibers were irregular in shape, had lost their nuclei and striation and presented the typical hyaline appearance of Zenker's degeneration as it occurs in man. In these animals the adjacent tissue showed no hemorrhage, exudate or evidence of connective tissue reaction. The animals died after 18 and 35 days respectively, the first having received 8 injections and the second 7 injections of venom in doses varying from 0.5 to 2 milligrams.
A third rabbit died on the 38th day after the first injection, having received nine injections, the last on the 23d day. At autopsy mottled hemorrhages were seen in the rectus and psoas muscles and about these hemorrhages, the peculiar opaque, whitish appearance of hyaline degeneration. Upon microscopical examination, the picture was identical with that of true Zenker's degeneration. Irregular, swollen, vacuolated and varicose, hyaline fibers, more or less fractured, without nuclei and invaded by leucocytes occupied large irregular areas.
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