Further observations on the comparative antirachitic value of crystalline vitamin D administered in milk, corn oil, or in propylene glycol

Abstract

Summary In order to determine the prophylactic dosage of crystalline vitamin D, as well as the influence of the menstruum on the effectiveness of this antirachitic substance, 441 young infants were given, at the beginning of the winter, 145, 290, or 1,450 U.S.P. X (revised, 1934) units of crystalline vitamin D incorporated in 28 ounces of milk, in 7 drops of corn oil, or in 7 drops of propylene glycol. At the end of the winter the incidence of rickets among these various groups of infants was determined by roentgenologic examination of the wrists. The results of this investigation demonstrated that in infants receiving crystalline vitamin D in the daily ration of milk, rickets developed less frequently than in those receiving a comparable number of units of this antirachitic agent in 7 drops of corn oil or of propylene glycol. An explanation was thus offered for the greater effectiveness, from the standpoint of rat units, of irradiated milk and yeast milk, as compared with viosterol. It was found that 1,450 units of crystalline vitamin D in oil daily protected 41 of 42 infants against rickets, and this may be regarded as a satisfactory protective dose. The addition of 332 U.S.P. units of crystalline vitamin D to the quart of milk provided a highly satisfactory antirachitic milk inasmuch as only 1 of 51 infants receiving milk of this unitage developed rickets.