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 question whether caffein is cumulative in the rabbit, suggested in
the preceding experiments, was the subject of further investigation
in Series B. Caffein was given by mouth or subcutaneously. Carrots
formed the exclusive diet, a measured amount being given. The rabbits
were kept under observation for two weeks, except Nos. 370 and 373,
records of which were made only for four days before the administration
of caffein was begun. Caffein was given by mouth in experiments of
Groups I and III. Rabbits 292, 293, and 295 received daily 20 cc water
by mouth for four days previous to the administration of caffein,
while in the rabbits of Group II the caffein treatment was preceded
by the injection of 0.8 per cent salt solution subcutaneously. The
object in both cases was to ascertain whether or not the method of
the administration of caffein has any influence on the animal, but
observation made from day to day failed to show any effect of such
treatment. About 1 decigram of caffein per kilo was administered daily,
with occasional intermissions. Later in the course of the experiment
the doses were increased, 0.15 gram per kilo being the maximum dose
given. Rabbit 293 died after the third dose with symptoms of typical
caffein poisoning. The administration of the same dose of caffein was
continued 10 days longer in Nos. 292 and 295. It was omitted on the
seventh, fourteenth, and fifteenth days of the experiment. On the
eighteenth day of the experiment the dose was increased to 150 mg per
kilo and was repeated 2 days later. No. 295 was found dead the next
day. No. 292 survived. Rabbits 313 and 315 may be considered together,
as they were treated alike in every respect. The initial dose of 100
mg caffein per kilo was finally increased to 122 mg. After the twelfth
dose the emaciation was well marked and the rabbits were very weak.
No. 313 was found dead 2 days, and No. 315 3 days, after the last dose
of caffein was given. It should be remarked in this connection that
symptoms of caffein poisoning were never observed in these rabbits.
Death was not due, therefore, primarily to caffein, but the rapid loss
of flesh and strength observed during the last few days suggests that
it was due to malnutrition apparently brought about by caffein.
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