Carbon tetrachloride poisoning in sheep: Effect upon the serum E₂₆₀ value and plasma volume

Abstract

Serum E₂₆₀ values were determined at intervals in sheep which were given 50 ml carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) by stomach tube into the rumen, and in untreated sheep. After administration of the drug, the mean E₂₆₀ value fell initially, being minimal at 3 hr. At this time, the circulating plasma volume had increased by one-fifth, and it is considered that this dilution factor largely explained the fall. The group mean for non-fatal cases rose above the pre-administration level at 7 hr, then returned to it by 24 hr. However, in the one sheep that died from CCl₄ poisoning, the serum E₂₆₀ value remained very high until death at 46 hr. In view of the significant variations in serum E₂₆₀ values between untreated sheep, and the significant random variations in serum E₂₆₀ values between times of bleeding such sheep, it is concluded that the determination of serum E₂₆₀ values at isolated times in individual sheep is of no value as a diagnostic criterion of CCl₄ poisoning.