Abstract
A series of experiments on the chronic CCl4 poisoning was performed for the purpose of determining the minimum toxic does for hematological changes of the rabbit. Twenty rabbits were divided into five groups, which were administered by subcutaneous routes in the respective doses of 0, 0.0075, 0.0015, 0.0225 and 0.03 cc CCl4 per kg. every other day for three months. For small doses of CCl4, dilution with olive oil was carried out. Hematological observations were made every eight days with regard to the following items ; body weight, erythrocytes, leucocytes, reticulocytes, hemoglobin contents, and iron amounts in the serum and organs. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The decrease of the body weight occured in three groups given in does more than 0.015 cc per kg. 2. In animals which were given more amount of CCl4 than 0.015 cc per kg., the increase in red cell count, hemoglobin content and serum iron concentration was found but other groups did not show any change. 3. In the beginning of the experiment, all groups of animal appeared to increase in leucocyte counts and reticulocyte counts but the increase was not significant statistically. 4. The iron contents of the liver of the animals administered with relatively larger CCl4 amounts were higher, but the relationship was reverse in the kidney. 5. On the basis of these experiments, it was concluded that the minimum toxic doses of CCl4 for hematological changes by subcutaneous injection every other day to rabbits is between 0.0075 cc and 0.00 cc CCl4 per kg. body weight.
