The Toxicity of Caffein: An experimental study on different species of animalsSalant, William
Science
The Toxicity of Caffein: An experimental study on different species of animals
Salant, William
Caffeine -- Physiological effect
The amount of caffein received during the entire experimental period
was 9.2223 grams, or an average per day approximately of 80 mg per
kilo, and therefore 10 per cent more than dog No. 30 received. It will
be observed that the appetite in dog No. 32 was likewise uniformly
good, and that he received a very high protein diet which was also of a
very high calorific value.
_Autopsy (dog 32)._--Stomach presented a severe inflammation of
the mucosa, especially in the fundus and pyloric portions. The
gastritis was more marked in pyloric portion, and the inflammatory
condition extended along the whole course of small intestines, which
presented numerous hemorrhagic areas, and a thick catarrhal exudate
on the mucosa. The large intestine contained quite a large number of
parasites, probably round worms. The liver was enlarged and the gall
cyst well filled. The spleen was also considerably engorged, kidneys
appeared normal, other organs all appeared normal.
_Dog 31. Black spaniel, male._
This dog had been under observation one month previous to the
experiments with caffein. The usual initial dose was then administered
for nine days. There were no signs of local irritation when the drug
was given subcutaneously, but symptoms of toxicity were present. These
disappeared, however, when the drug was administered by mouth. The
dose was therefore increased to 75 mg per kilo. This, as will be seen,
proved fatal within six hours. High nitrogen diet, same as No. 30.
November 3: Weight 10.250 kilos.
November 10: Weight, 10.25 kilos.
November 20: Weight, 10.30 kilos.
December 1: Put in cage.
December 6, 7, 8, 9: Weight, 10.20 kilos; received 26 cc 2 per cent
caffein subcutaneously, site of injection normal.
December 6: Very restless and excited, whined when handled as though
muscles were sore, appeared to be sick.
December 10-14: Condition good, received 0.51 gram caffein by mouth
daily, no noteworthy symptoms, appetite continues good, somewhat
restless at intervals.
December 15: 11.30 a. m., received 0.765 gram caffein per mouth
(0.075 gram per kilo); 2 p. m., depressed in spirit, seemed sick and
uncomfortable; 4.15 p. m., when about to feed, animal jumped up, then
fell back dead.
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