THE USE OF PIGEONS IN THE ESTIMATION OF DIGITALIS POTENCY

¹ From the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Department of Pharmacology

A limited number of experiments concerned with the minimum emetic dose (m.e.d.) values of various digitalis preparations for pigeons is reported. From these it would appear, first, that frequently an appreciable discrepancy may occur between the relative potency of a preparation as judged by the pigeon and the cat methods; and second, that if this method is to be employed, care should be taken to use an adequate number of birds.

A new method for the standardization of digitalis preparations is described in which the diluted preparation is slowly administered intravenously into pigeons until death occurs. Our experience thus far indicates that this procedure offers distinct advantages. The results obtained by this method compare favorably with similar values obtained by the cat method.