Experimental tri-nitro-toluene poisoning

Abstract

In an attempt to produce experimentally in dogs a state of poisoning by tri-nitro-toluene analogous to the condition recently observed among munition workers in England and America, the following methods of administering the poison have been employed: (1) Feeding by mouth (TNT in butter); (2) skin inunction (TNT in lard); (3) subcutaneous injections (TNT in olive oil); (4) intravenous injections (TNT in acetone); (5) intraperitoneal injections (TNT in albolene). Only the first three methods have proven satisfactory. Intravenous injection of any considerable quantity of an acetone solution causes immediate death, probably from a precipitation of the TNT in the blood stream, and consequent pulmonary embolism. The toxic action of the acetone, too, may be a factor. Negative results with intraperitoneal injections of an albolene solution were probably due to faulty absorption.Feeding, inunction, and subcutaneous injections have resulted regularly in a more or less chronic state of poisoning ending in death. Th...