ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF CORTISONE AND HYDROCORTISONE

Abstract

IN A PREVIOUS investigation¹ on the local effect of intracutaneously injected cortisone we found that cortisone exhibited some local anesthetic action. Meanwhile, several papers have appeared on the local anti-inflammatory action of hydrocortisone.^* Goldman, Emura, and Baskett³ believe it possible that the antiinflammatory effects of cortisone may be due to hydrocortisone as a peripheral cortisone metabolite. This suggests an investigation of the analgesic properties of hydrocortisone as compared to cortisone. It was hoped that such an investigation would throw light on the mechanism of the therapeutic effect of cortisone and also that it would give us some clues as to the mechanism of peripheral pain. For this purpose it was thought worth while to compare these compounds in combination with procaine and antihistaminic agents. PROCEDURE In the studies reported here pain was produced by the intradermal injection of (1) thiamine hydrochloride, 100 mg. per cubic centimeter (Abbott)