Abstract
In a comprehensive review of nitrobenzene intoxication, cover. 265 papers, Schneider 1 states that “the minimal toxic dose in anima. experiments is nowhere noted.” The investigations on dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats 1 and frogs 2 are concerned primarily with the manifestations and effects of mononitrobenzene poisoning, and with the study of methemoglobinemia or, as in guinea pigs 3 and rabbits 4 some other non-oxygen-carrying derivative of hemoglobin formed with the agent.
The minimal lethal dose of mononitrobenzene (oil of mirbane) was determined in mice in the course of experiments on its effect upon tumor growth. The report was stimulated because mice have not been generally used in the studies of this important industrial poison, and because the toxic manifestations in mice were practically identical with those described in man. 1 , 2 , 5
Experimental: Eighteen female mice of the C3 H strain, weighing 35-40 g, were shaved over the abdomen and were painted lightly with a brush soaked in mononitrobenzene over an area less than one-tenth of the body surface. In one hour, 15 mice were in partial collapse, but all recovered within 24 hours. The animals were painted again; next day, 3 were dead. The rest were painted a third time; within 48 hours, 9 died. Thus, after 3 applications, 24 hours apart, the mortality was 12 out of 18 animals.
Ten male mice of strain A, about 30 g in weight, were painted vigorously over the unshaved abdomen for about 20 seconds. In 30 minutes, all were in partial collapse, and in one hour, 6 were motionless, cold and breathing forcibly; 2 were dead within 3 hours, and 4 within 20 hours. Two more mice, which apparently had recovered from collapse, died within 3 days; the total mortality, therefore, was 8 out of 10 animals.
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