Hematopoietic Reactions to Antimonyl Antimony. ∗

Abstract

The close chemical relationship between arsenic and antimony suggests that the latter substance might be used in place of arsenic in the treatment of abnormal leucocytoses, Meneghetti 1 concluded that a “true hemopathy” characterized by leucocytosis followed by leucopenia, a profound anemia, and marked normoblastosis could be produced after a single intravenous inoculation of colloidal antimony sulfide. His experiments with tartar emetic, however, were incomplete. In a series of preliminary experiments using a freshly prepared 1% solution of potassium antimony tartrate we established a dose of 6 mg. per kilo body weight as the maximum tolerated initial dose for rabbits. When inoculated intravenously this dose produced a characteristic leucopenia without subsequent leucocytosis.

Normal adult rabbits were inoculated in the marginal ear vein with a freshly prepared 1% solution of potassium antimonyl tartrate. A complete blood count was done before and after each experiment. The total leucocyte and differential counts were done at intervals of one-half, one, 2, 4, 7, and 28 hours after inoculation. The blood films were stained with Wright's stain, and the platelet counts were done using Rees and Ecker's diluting fluid. After the completion of each experiment the animals were sacrificed and a histological study of the hematopoietic organs was made.