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Abstract
One per cent solutions of the soluble acid sodium salt of the four acid fractions
of chaulmoogra oil were apparently the most active, soluble and least irritating when
administered hypodermatically. There was a conspicuous absence of the drug in the
peritoneal cavity of an animal when it came to autopsy although less than 24 hours
had elapsed after an heroic dose.
Charts “D” and “E” show a marked gain in weight for the animals which received the
chaulmoogra salts, probably indicating their complete assimilation. Basing our opinion
on the findings in Group II we believe fraction “A” and “B” most potent.
No pathologic findings which could be attributed to the drug were found at necropsy
of pigs receiving the chaulmoogra salts, as exhibited by Group V pigs. These pigs
gained weight during the administration of the drug. A 1 per cent solution of the
acid sodium salts of all the acid fractions of chaulmoogra oil we used were found
to be nontoxic as shown by the fact that no pigs were lost from groups IV or V; on
the other hand all showed a marked increase in weight after the administration of
heavy doses. Group IV curve suggests the presence of a vitamine or some element which
has a marked influence on the weight of the pigs.
The peritoneal administration in the case of guinea pigs was found to produce no undesirable
effects. In this case peritoneal administration was found to be a method by which
the salts may be rapidly absorbed by the body.
We found the acid sodium salt of Chaulmoogra oil has a specific bactericidal action
on tubercle bacilli. Sweeney and Walker showed it was specific for the acid-fast group
in a 1:100,000 dilution. We were only able to prove its bactericidal properties for
tubercle bacilli in a dilution of 1:10,000.
Of the 12 pigs inoculated with tuberculosis and not treated, all died except one,
of the 12 pigs treated only one died.
A marked difference in the pathologic findings between pigs which were and were not
treated was observed, the advantage being in favor of the treated pigs.
Treated pigs showed an average gain of 49 grams over the ones not treated; the time
factor being kept constant.
One pig from Group II which was treated with fraction “A” gave birth to two young
ones after the 18th treatment.
More evidence in favor of Group II as compared to I will be found upon close observation
and comparison of Charts A, B, and C. It will be noted in Charts A, B and C that at
the close of the investigation there is a distinct advantage Group II shows over Group
I.
We have more work under way to verify these findings inasmuch as this is a preliminary
report. 
Chart A is based on the fact that when a pig in Group I died an animal from Group
II was killed and the average weight of the remaining animals in each group recorded
by the respective curves. We find the following factors most prominent when Group
I pigs (tuberculous controls) are considered.
- 1.1. That the average group gain for the first seven days was normal when compared with our normal controls.
- 2.2. From the seventh (the point of inoculation) to the seventeenth day the average loss in weight was 43 grams per pig.
- 3.3. From the seventeenth to the thirty-eighth day the average gain per pig in the group was 115 grams. This is explained by the fact that the light weight pigs were first to die.
- 4.4. From the thirty-eighth to the seventieth day the average loss per pig in the group was 115 grams.
- 5.5. From point of inoculation to end of investigation a loss of 43 grams per pig was sustained.
We find the following factors most prominent when Group II pigs (infected with tuberculosis
and treated) are considered.
- 1.1. The average gain for this group for the first seven days was normal when compared with our normal controls.
- 2.2. From the seventh (point of inoculation and treatment) to the seventeenth day the average loss in weight was two grams, which is not abnormal.
- 3.3. From the seventeenth to the thirty-eighth day there was an average gain of 134 grains per pig. This is partially explained by the fact that we tried to select pigs to kill whose weights approximated those of the dead pigs of Group I.
- 4.4. From the thirty-eighth to fifty-second day there was an average group gain of 11 grams.
- 5.5. From the fifty-second to the seventieth day there was an average loss of 51 grams per pig.
- 6.6. From the seventh to seventieth day an average gain of 92 grams per pig.
In drawing Chart B the weight of each pig at necropsy which died or was killed was
retained as a constant factor throughout the remainder of the investigation. The points
on the chart were the average weights for the entire twelve pigs of each respective
group.
The following points on this chart appear most interesting when Group I pigs (tuberculous
controls) are considered.
- 1.1. The entire group individually and as a unit lost weight uniformly and gradually.
- 2.2. The gain in group weight during the first week coincided with the gain in weight of the other normal groups.
- 3.3. This group started with each pig averaging 25 grams more than Group II, at point of inoculation.
- 4.4. Each animal in the group lost an average of 43 grams the first ten days after inoculation. This is probably due to the virulence of the organism used.
- 5.5. All animnls in the group died except one.
- 6.6. A total loss of an average of 56 grams per pig was sustained from the date of inoculation to the end of the investigation.
- 7.7. The pathology count scaled for this group averages 20 per pig.
Consideration of Group II pigs infected with tuberculosis and treated.
- 1.1. The entire group individually and as a unit lost weight uniformly and gradually but the amount lost could not be considered abnormal.
- 2.2. The gain in group weight during the first week coincides with the gain in the weight of the normal group.
- 3.3. This group started with each pig averaging 25 grams less than Group I. This group overcomes this handicap throughout the investigation.
- 4.4. Each animal in this group lost an average of 7 grams (which is not considered an abnormal fluctuation) the first ten days after inoculation.
- 5.5. All animals in the group were killed except one.
- 6.6. The highest point reached by this group was an average of 406 grams.
- 7.7. A total loss of an average of 11 grams per pig was noted from the point of inoculation to the end of the investigation.
- 8.8. The pathology count scaled for this group averages 13.33 per pig.
Consideration of Chart C
In drawing Chart C the weight at necropsy of the pigs which died or were killed was
retained as a constant factor throughout the remainder of the investigation. The points
on the chart represent the average loss or gain for the entire twelve pigs based on
the original weight of each respective group. Example, if Group I's original weight
is 413 grams per pig and at the period of the third weighing is 406 grams this group
sustains an average loss of 7 grams per pig over a period of ten days. 
- 1.1. From point of inoculation, which is charted zero, to the tenth day there was a loss of 43 grams per pig.
- 2.2. From the tenth to the thirty-fifth day there was a gain of twenty-two grams per pig.
- 3.3. From the thirty-fifth to the sixty-third day there was a loss of thirty-seven grams per pig.
- 4.4. From zero to the sixty-third day there was a loss of an average of 58 grams per pig for the group.
- 5.5. The entire group lost weight sporadically.
Consideration of Group II Pigs (infected with tuberculosis and treated)
- 1.1. From point of inoculation, which is charted zero, to the tenth day, there was a loss of eight grams.
- 2.2. From the tenth to the thirty-fifth clay there was a loss of eight grams.
- 3.3. From the thirty-fifth to the sixty-third day there was a loss of seven grams.
- 4.4. From zero to the sixty-third day there was a loss of nine grams.
- 5.5. The entire group lost weight uniformly and gradually.
Consideration of Chart D
In drawing Chart D the average weights at successive weighing periods of the entire
number of pigs of each respective group were recorded as points on the chart, eight
pigs being used for Group III and twelve for Group IV.
Consideration of Group III Pigs (Normal controls)
- 1.1. None of these pigs died during the course of the investigation.
- 2.2. Individually and as a group the pigs showed a steady and gradual increase in weight from the date of inoculation of Groups I and II to the end of the investigation.
- 3.3. The entire average gain in weight for the group is 176 grams.
- 4.4. This group weighed at start twenty-one grams less than Group IV, and at the end of the investigation 75 grams less than Group IV.
- 5.5. The average gain for a three day period was 9.7 grams.
Consideration of Group IV Pigs (Injected with chaulmoogra oil at same periods and
in same amounts as pigs of Group II)
- 1.1. None of these pigs died during the course of the investigation.
- 2.2. All showed a steady and marked increase in weight from the date of first treatment to the end of the investigation.
- 3.3. The entire average gain in weight for the group is 230 grams.
- 4.4. The group weighed at start 21 grains more than Group III and at the end of the investigation 75 grams more, a gain per pig of 54 grams over the normal pigs.
- 5.5. The average gain for a three-day period was 12.7 grams.
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References
- Jour. Infect. Dis. March, 1920;
- Jour. Cutan. Dis. June, 1919; xxxvii
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© 1921 Published by Elsevier Inc.
