Abstract
The value of the method of roentgenographic visualization of the liver and spleen in the human is, in our opinion, dependent only upon the possible dangers involved in the intravenous administration of stabilized colloidal suspensions of thorium dioxide (Thorotrast).
We have undertaken a series of experiments to determine the histo-pathological changes in the tissues of animals that have been given various intravenous doses of thorium dioxide over varying periods of time.
Seventy-nine animals, comprising 4 dogs, 15 albino rats, 18 guinea pigs, 20 white mice, and 22 rabbits, have been used in this work. All animals were injected with doses varying from that which permits good visualization (0.8 gm. per kg. body weight) to 10 times this dose. An additional number of animals were used as controls in each experiment. The dogs and rabbits were injected intravenously, whereas the guinea pigs, white mice and rats were injected by the intracardiac route. The complete dose was given over a period of 3 days, one-third of the total dose each day. The animals were then killed at intervals of one day, one week, one month and 6 months following the injection of both small and large doses of the thorium preparation.
The following observations were made: All animals which received 0.8 gm. per kg. body weight showed no changes in appetite, skin, body weight, susceptibility to infections or propagation of the species. The animals were all living and well up to the time of being sacrificed.
Several animals receiving 10 times the smaller dose (8.0 gm. per kg. body weight) showed toxic effects. Three guinea pigs and 2 rabbits lost considerable weight and were apparently ill for 2 weeks, but recovered and were killed at the end of one month. Two rabbits, one guinea pig and 3 white mice died within one to 3 days following the last injection.
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