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 results of the experiments of this series likewise indicate that
the Belgian hare is more resistant to caffein than the rabbits of other
varieties. Thus, of the four gray rabbits (Nos. 235, 316, 395, and
396), which received 267 to 283 mg of caffein per kilo, two died and
two lived,[B] one of which, 396, showed the presence of coccidiosis of
the liver. On the other hand it will be observed that the black and
white rabbits which received from 270 to 275 mg of caffein per kilo all
died from the effects of the drug; one within 1 hour and 25 minutes
and another within 50 hours after the administration of the caffein,
while No. 340 died in the night. Furthermore it will be noted that of
the last three rabbits of this series, which were Belgian hares and
received 290, 293, and 300 mg of caffein, two died six hours after the
injection, while the other, No. 397, lived three days. The minimum
fatal dose of caffein for Belgian hares is, therefore, about 290 to 300
mg per kilo when injected subcutaneously, which is about 50 per cent
greater than for rabbits of other varieties.
[B] Survived first dose.
SERIES E.
It was shown in series A that 0.15 caffein per kilo caused symptoms of
intoxication. Before concluding, however, that this is the smallest
dose which causes symptoms of poisoning, a number of experiments were
performed with smaller doses. It was found that in the great majority
of cases 0.1 caffein per kilo may cause diuresis, but no nervous or
muscular symptoms. In some rabbits, however, even such a dose proved
fatal. Post-mortem examinations in these cases showed the presence
of coccidiosis of the liver, and it will be recalled that similar
observations were made before. It is quite possible, therefore,
that coccidiosis of the liver is an important factor in decreasing
the resistance to caffein. Experiment 551 (p. 25) shows that other
conditions may likewise increase the toxicity of caffein.
_Rabbit 325. White, female. Weight, 1,065 grams. Diet, oats._
March 17: 11 a. m., 6 cc 2 per cent (112 mg per kilo) caffein injected
subcutaneously in the back. About 5 cc of urine squeezed out from
bladder before injecting caffein.
March 17: 1 p. m., hind legs crossed and stretched out, front legs also
extended; rabbit lying stretched out on her belly.
March 17: 5.40 p. m., rabbit still alive, condition somewhat improved.
March 18: 9 a. m., found dead, stiff and cold. _Autopsy_: Hemorrhagic
area at point of inoculation; subcutaneous region of both thighs
presented a hemorrhagic infiltration of the tissues; liver contained
lesions of coccidiosis; other organs apparently normal.
_Rabbit 330. Belgian hare, female. Weight, 935 grams; poorly
nourished._
March 18: 3.35 p. m., 5 cc 2 per cent caffein (107 mg per kilo)
injected into subcutaneous tissues in the back; 5.30 p. m., no symptoms.
March 19: 9 a. m., no symptoms.
March 25: Weight, 825 grams.
_Rabbit 329. Belgian hare, male. Weight, 775 grams; poorly nourished.
Received March 18._
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