Further observations on the influence of diet on the toxicity of sodium tartrate

Abstract

In a previous publication from this laboratory 1 it was stated that the toxicity of sodium tartrate might be modified by diet. Rabbits that were fed carrots resisted larger doses of the tartrate than those which received oats and cabbage. The investigation of the effect of diet on the toxicity of this substance was resumed recently. The observations were made on rabbits and on cats with a large number of diets which were given some time previous to the subcutaneous injection of tartrate. Striking differences in toxicity were observed. When young carrots were fed four days before the tartrate was given, the dose survived was 3.0 grams per kilo. One rabbit only developed albuminuria when this dose was given. In one series of four rabbits three survived such a dose. In another series with 3.5 grams per kilo, one survived and three died, two in 12 and 36 hours and one in 6 days. The resistance was likewise very marked when carrot leaves were fed 4 to 11 days before injecting tartrate, but was less than in the case of young carrots, the minimum fatal dose being about 2.5 grams per kilo. The duration of life in this case was 2 to 5 days, the rabbit dying, however, without developing albuminuria. The toxicity when mature or winter carrots were fed was on the contrary considerably greater, the fatal dose being 1.25 to 1.5 grams per kilo.

Exactly the same results were obtained with sweet potatoes as with carrot leaves, as 2.5 grams per kilo likewise proved to be fatal, while a dose of 2.0 per kilo failed to produce any nervous symptoms or renal irritation, Sodium tartrate proved to be most toxic when the diet consisted of oats and cane sugar, glucose, or levulose.