Effect of Intravenous Injection of Dakin's Solution on Cholecystectomized Dogs.

Abstract

The production of cholecystitis by intravenous injection of a solution of chlorinated soda (Dakin's solution), was first reported by Mann. 1 He found that from 5 to 12 cc. per kg. body-weight, of a solution of chlorinated soda, having an available chlorine content of at least 0.48%, would produce a cholecystitis in dogs in 12 to 24 hours following the injection.

Since Dakin's solution seems to act specifically on the gall-bladder, its injection might prove fatal if the gall-bladder were removed, and, if so, the gall-bladder must act as the specific organ of elimination or detoxification. Such an assumption is justified by the observation of Mann, which we have confirmed, that the solution reaches the gall-bladder via the blood stream and not the bile.

Eleven normal dogs were injected intravenously with 10 cc. per kg. body-weight of a solution of chlorinated soda (Dakin's solution) containing 0.49% available chlorine. One dog died within 24 hours and the autopsy showed a cholecystitis. The other 10 were etherized after from 40 to 48 hours, and necropsies performed immediately. Of these, 3 showed normal gall-bladders, the remaining 7 all had cholecystitis of varying degrees of intensity. Several of these dogs had small hemorrhages beneath the serous coat of the liver adjacent to the gall-bladder; one having a large area of hemorrhage, 5 cm. × 2.5 cm.

Four healthy dogs on which cholecystectomy had been performed 3 weeks previously were then injected intravenously with 10 cc. per kg. body-weight of Dakin's solution containing 0.49% available chlorine. Two hours after the injection all the dogs were noticeably uncomfortable, and 3 of them were vomiting. All of these dogs were alive and apparently in good condition 3 days after the injection.