A Slipping Test for Measuring Level of Alcohol Intoxication in the Mouse

Abstract

A test for measuring alcohol intoxication in mice has been developed. It was found that the ability of mice to walk on a lattice floor without slipping was impaired after administration of alcohol. A slipping cage was then constructed, by means of which the slipping was recorded. The number of slippings increased with mild ethanol intoxication but decreased with severer intoxication. This was due to the rise in activity accompanying mild inebriation and the depression characterizing strong inebriation. The total time of slipping exhibited a clear regression on alcohol dosage, but the regression was not linear.