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The electrocardiogram in acute emetine intoxication
SELECTED
715
ABSTRACTS
of active nephritis. Its presence is indicated by an increase in the ratio of phenol red to inulin clearance. The hematuria which is observed at the onset of nephrotoxic nephritis in the dog and during the persistence of severe chronic nephritis is apparently not related to hemolytic or anaphylactic reactions which may follow the injection of sera. Although the acute anemia which followed injection of nephrotoxic sera in dogs is due to hemolytic factors present in the sera, the course of the anemia subsequent to the development of nephritis suggests that depression of bone marrow activity is present during the persistence of severe renal disease. AUTHORS.
Boyd, L. J., and Scherf, D.: The Electrocardiogram J. Pharmacol.
& Exper.
Therap.
71:
362,
in Acute Emetine
Intoxication.
1941.
The alterations of the electrocardiogram after the intravenous administration of emetine hydrochloride were studied in dogs and cats. Disturbance of intraventricular conduction is the most common change observed under these circumstances. Bradycardia and prolongation of atrioventricular conduction time develop regularly, but they are not pronounced. If the intravenous dose does not exceed 37 mg. in dogs weighing 5 to 9 kg., the electrocardiographic alterations gradually disappear within forty-five minutes. Cardiac dilatation, especially involving the right ventricle, the development of which is simultaneous with the ventricular conduction disturbances, also vanishes within the same period. The action of emetine is cumulative since much more pronounced effects result from the second or third injection of an equal amount of the drug although the normal electrocardiogram has been restored. The most common arrhythmias to develop are auricular extrasystoles and auricuAlternation of the ventricular complexes is frequently observed lar taehycardias. during the tachycardia. Advanced stages of intoxication are required for the production of ventricular extrasystoles. Heart block with dropped beats was encountered only in cats. AUTHORS.
Campbell, Surgery
H. E.: 9:
825,
The Statistical
Method.
A Vital
Tool
in
Clinical
Medicine.
1941.
Clinicians have almost entirely neglected criteria of statistical analysis in their The many contradictory teachings and controversial practices scientific writings. originate in part in this neglect of well-recognized statistical procedure. We have described in detail the derivation and application of the simpler formulas as they relate to percentages. With a little thought every doctor can master this technique and apply it in a very few minutes to medical papers which utilize percentages in their conclusions. As presented now, most case series are too brief for sound conclusions. PublicaA standard classification in tion should be withheld until longer series are amassed. such diseases as are now the center of controversy would enable short series to be combined and allow reliable conclusions to emerge. Medical students should receive formal education in statistical procedure. Medical editors should demand of medical authors that their figures and data be statistically sound. AUTHOR.
715
ABSTRACTS
of active nephritis. Its presence is indicated by an increase in the ratio of phenol red to inulin clearance. The hematuria which is observed at the onset of nephrotoxic nephritis in the dog and during the persistence of severe chronic nephritis is apparently not related to hemolytic or anaphylactic reactions which may follow the injection of sera. Although the acute anemia which followed injection of nephrotoxic sera in dogs is due to hemolytic factors present in the sera, the course of the anemia subsequent to the development of nephritis suggests that depression of bone marrow activity is present during the persistence of severe renal disease. AUTHORS.
Boyd, L. J., and Scherf, D.: The Electrocardiogram J. Pharmacol.
& Exper.
Therap.
71:
362,
in Acute Emetine
Intoxication.
1941.
The alterations of the electrocardiogram after the intravenous administration of emetine hydrochloride were studied in dogs and cats. Disturbance of intraventricular conduction is the most common change observed under these circumstances. Bradycardia and prolongation of atrioventricular conduction time develop regularly, but they are not pronounced. If the intravenous dose does not exceed 37 mg. in dogs weighing 5 to 9 kg., the electrocardiographic alterations gradually disappear within forty-five minutes. Cardiac dilatation, especially involving the right ventricle, the development of which is simultaneous with the ventricular conduction disturbances, also vanishes within the same period. The action of emetine is cumulative since much more pronounced effects result from the second or third injection of an equal amount of the drug although the normal electrocardiogram has been restored. The most common arrhythmias to develop are auricular extrasystoles and auricuAlternation of the ventricular complexes is frequently observed lar taehycardias. during the tachycardia. Advanced stages of intoxication are required for the production of ventricular extrasystoles. Heart block with dropped beats was encountered only in cats. AUTHORS.
Campbell, Surgery
H. E.: 9:
825,
The Statistical
Method.
A Vital
Tool
in
Clinical
Medicine.
1941.
Clinicians have almost entirely neglected criteria of statistical analysis in their The many contradictory teachings and controversial practices scientific writings. originate in part in this neglect of well-recognized statistical procedure. We have described in detail the derivation and application of the simpler formulas as they relate to percentages. With a little thought every doctor can master this technique and apply it in a very few minutes to medical papers which utilize percentages in their conclusions. As presented now, most case series are too brief for sound conclusions. PublicaA standard classification in tion should be withheld until longer series are amassed. such diseases as are now the center of controversy would enable short series to be combined and allow reliable conclusions to emerge. Medical students should receive formal education in statistical procedure. Medical editors should demand of medical authors that their figures and data be statistically sound. AUTHOR.