SPONTANEOUS ARTERIAL DEGENERATION IN RABBITS.

The effect of the various adrenalin preparations in producing degenerative changes in the vascular system has received much attention during the past few years. The work of Josué in 1903 gave impetus to investigations alone this line, although changes had been noted in the various organs of rabbits used for experimental work as early as 1880, and definite lesions are said to have been produced in the vascular system as early as 1889 by the injection of micro-organisms or their toxins. Since Josué's articles appeared a considerable literature has accumulated on the subject, practically all investigators agreeing, to a greater or less extent, that arterial lesions followed the administration of adrenalin to rabbits. As to whether the ill effects were due to the toxic action of the drug, to the increase of blood pressure occasioned by it, to the cachexia resulting when the drug is given in large doses and