Ovid O. Meyer

Production of Hypoprothrombinemia and Hypoeoagulability of the Blood with Salicylates.

Conclusions 1. The oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid and sodium salicylate to human beings in daily doses of 20 to 80 grains (1.3 to 5.3 g) consistently produced hypo-prothrombinemia and hypocoagulability of the blood. 2. The administration of vitamin K with the salicylate prevented the development of hypoprothrombinemia and prolongation of the coagulation time. 3. It is theoretically possible that the not unusual hemorrhagic manifestations of acute rheumatic fever may be due in some cases, at least in part, to the large doses of salicylates so commonly administered.

Effect of Reduced Oxygen Tension Upon Formed Elements of Blood of Hypophysectomized Animals.

It has been suggested 1 , 2 that the hypophysis, in addition to its many other functions, may play a part in erythropoiesis. It has long been known that in man and animal, under the conditions of reduced oxygen tension, there occurs an increase in hemoglobin, erythrocytes and reticulocytes in the blood, and hyperplasia of the bone marrow. It was thought that if the hypophysis furnished a hormone which affected the erythrogenetic tissues, the response to a diminution in oxygen tension in the tissues of hypophysectomized animals might be deficient in one or more respects. To test this hypothesis, 8 male white rats weighing 150 to 220 gm. were hypophysectomized after complete blood counts were done by the usual methods. Erythrocyte counts were done in duplicate; reticulocyte counts of 1,000 cells on a cover slip smear stained with cresyl blue, hemoglobin determinations with the Haden-Hauser hemoglobinometer. Eight days later, 4 of the experimental animals with 4 normal controls of similar weight were placed in the respiratory chamber devised by Dallwig, Kolls and Loevenhart. 3 The remaining 4 animals were placed in the chamber 25 days after hypophysectomy, and a second group of 8 hypophysectomized animals was similarly divided and exposed to the same experimental procedures 9 and 32 days after operation. In all instances complete blood counts were done on the day the animals were placed in the chamber. The pressure was reduced in all experiments to 422 mm. Hg.; equivalent oxygen tension, 12% of an atmosphere, which corresponds to an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet. This level was maintained constantly with but 2 to 3 mm. Hg. variation. Blood counts were made at intervals between 3 and 6 days. Some of the animals died in the first week under the experimental conditions, so that adequate data were obtained on but 14 hypophysectomized and 14 normal animals. The results were remarkably constant and they appear to be significant.

Hemorrhagic Agent 3,3-Methylenebis (4-Hydroxycoumarin). V. Its' Effect in Prevention of Experimental Thrombosis.

Conclusion A definite reduction in the incidence of thrombus formation was noted in dogs previously treated with Dicumarol in a dosage equivalent to a therapeutic and very safe quantity commonly administered to human beings. We wish to acknowledge with gratitude the aid of Dr. C. H. Bunting who examined the microscopic sections and confirmed the observations here recorded.

Report of failure of alpha-tocopherol to prevent diethylstilbestrol-induced purpura in dogs.

Summary Diethylstilbestrol caused a prolongation of the bleeding and coagulation time in dogs, thrombopenia, an increase in the capillary fragility, leukocytosis and a gradual anemia. In 2 dogs death resulted. The changes in the circulating blood and bone marrow produced by diethylstilbestrol appear to be temporary in some instances. The return to normal, despite the continued administration of the drug, might indicate that a tolerance to diethylstilbestrol had been acquired. This return to normal was as prompt and as great without as with the administration of alpha-tocopherol. The present studies failed to confirm the report of Skelton, Shute, et al. that alpha-tocopherol exerts an antipurpuric action on the hemorrhagic diathesis induced in dogs by diethylstilbestrol.

The Rectal Administration of Dicumarol.

Conclusion The administration of Dicumarol rectally in aqueous suspension or in cocoa butter suppositories is only occasionally effective; hence its routine employment cannot be relied upon.

Newer Drugs and Their Uses

Much progress has been made in the treatment of many diseases, and some of the numerous new drugs available today represent important therapeutic advances. New uses have been found for drugs which formerly had been employed only in certain circumstances.The increased potency of drugs is warranted only when it permits significant reduction of the dosage administered or reduction in cost to the patient.Although some mixtures of drugs are practical and necessary, most of them are not as effective as individual agents used in combination.The author discusses some of the important new drugs, particularly those used in treating hematologic conditions.

Rectal Administration of Warfarin (Coumadin) Sodium. Sodium [3(2-acetonyl-benzyl)-4 hydroxycoumarin)]:

Summary Experience with rectal use of warfarin sodium in 23 patients has been recorded. In contrast to Dicumarol, the rectal administration of warfarin sodium is consistently effective. If certain precautions are taken, the rectal route appears to be as reliable as the oral or intravenous, and in some circumstances it may be the route of choice.