The Requirements of the Dog and the Rat for Nicotinic Acid

Abstract

The minimum dose of nicotinic acid necessary to protect the dog against blacktongue was found to be about 1.0 mg. per day for an animal of 5 to 10 kg. On a body weight basis 0.25 mg. of nicotinic acid per kilogram gave a rapid increase in weight and complete protection, 0.13 mg. per kilogram gave complete protection and a slight increase in weight, while 0.084 and 0.027 mg. per kilogram gave no protection. It has been calculated that 1.0 mg. of nicotinic acid is contained in 4 to 10 gm. of yeast. Evidence is presented which indicates that nicotinic acid is not an essential substance for the rat.