On the reduction of toxicity of strychnin by the simultaneous administration of large quantities of fluid

Abstract

In the course of some experiments on adrenalin glycosuria in which the simultaneous injection of blood, serum or lymph with adrenalin was studied, it became manifest that the significance of the factor of dilution had to be previously established. It was thought that the study of the effect of dilution upon strychnin poisoning would throw some light upon this. The definite and instructive results which were obtained will be stated here very briefly.

Controls.—Six rabbits received subcutaneously 0.45 mg. strychnin per kilogram body weight. All six had convulsions, with fatal termination in three. Nine animals received 0.5 mg. per kilo; all had convulsions, terminating fatally in four. In 15 controls, then, a dose of 0.5 mg. strychnin or less per kilo body weight brought on convulsions in every one and a fatal termination in 7; in other words 0.5 mg. strychnin proved to be toxic in 100 per cent. and fatal in 47 per cent.

Strychnin diluted in 100 c.c. of normal saline.—Ten rabbits received subcutaneously doses of strychnin varying between 0.7 and 0.84 mg. per kilo body weight diluted in 100 c.c. of 0.9 per cent. sodium chlorid. Of these only two had convulsions, one of which died. In other words, strychnin in great dilution is considerably less toxic; doses which exceed the minimal fatal dose proved to be toxic only in 20 per cent. and fatal in 10 per cent.

Strychnin and saline injected in separate places.—In a series of eleven rabbits each received subcutaneously 0.5 mg. strychnin per kilo body weight at one point shortly after having been injected with IOO c.c. of 0.9 per cent. sodium chlorid at another place. Of these only three had convulsions and only one died.