THE ACUTE TOXICITY OF GLYCERYL TRINITRATE AND SODIUM NITRITE IN RABBITS

1. The lethal dose of glyceryl trinitrate by intravenous injection in adult rabbits is 45 mgm. per kilogram. 2. The lethal dose of sodium nitrite similarly determined is between 80 and 90 mgm. per kilogram. 3. It is noted that on the basis of available nitrite ion the lethal dose of sodium nitrite is about three times as high as that of glyceryl trinitrate; explanations for this fact are offered. 4. The symptoms of lethal poisoning by sodium nitrite and glyceryl trinitrate are discussed in detail, and their resemblance to asphyxial death is pointed out. 5. It is suggested that asphyxia is one of the major factors in death from lethal doses of these drugs.