A Study of the Dog's Stomach and Liver for Substances Effective in Pernicious Anemia

Abstract

Since gastrectomized dogs do not develop pernicious anemia, 1 it is pertinent to determine whether substances effective in pernicious anemia are present in the liver and stomach of dogs.

We have prepared dog's “desiccated whole stomach” according to the standard method and have given the preparation orally to patients with pernicious anemia. We have made extracts of the dog's liver and have injected them subcutaneously. We have also fed dog's liver to pernicious anemia patients. These materials were prepared from recently sacrificed dogs.

Dog's desiccated whole stomach. In a previous report, 2 the desiccated whole stomach of dogs was fed to 2 pernicious anemia patients in doses of 50 gm. (dry powder) per day for from 8 to 12 days without observing a response. Later both of these patients responded typically, one to oral equine liver and the other to liver extract subcutaneously. We have extended these experiments to include 5 additional pernicious anemia patients, making a total of 7 patients. A slight increase in both red cell count and reticulocytes occurred in one patient. All patients, except one, when placed on equine liver extract responded typically.

Isaacs and Sturgis 3 obtained remissions from feeding from 30 to 60 gm. of desiccated hog's whole stomach. Our results indicate that if the active principle is present in dog's whole stomach, it is present only in smaller amounts than found in the hog's stomach. Larger doses of dog's desiccated stomach were not used because of the difficulty in getting patients to take larger doses voluntarily over a period of adequate length to be significant.

Dog's liver. Six pernicious anemia patients received extracts of dog's liver prepared according to the standard method. The extract of from 45 to 155 gm. of liver was administered subcutaneously during a 10-day period. Three of the patients, one receiving the extract of 45 gm., one 90 gm., the other 140 gm. of liver, showed some evidence of a response, which, however, is questionable. (Table I.)