EVALUATION OF ADRENAL STEROIDS ADMINISTERED INTRAVENOUSLY, INTRAMUSCULARLY AND ORALLY*

Abstract

As part of a study designed to evaluate the relative efficiency of different adrenal steroids and of corticotropin preparations in human subjects, eosinophil counts have been performed at specific intervals, in the course of a 24-hour period during and following the administration of such material. Cortisone acetate (compound E) was administered intramuscularly and orally. Hydro cortisone (compound F) (free alcohol) was administered intravenously, orally, and intramuscularly. Hydro cortisone acetate was administered orally and intramuscularly. In each instance the dosage was 100 mg., the oral material being given hourly in an amount of 20 mg. for a five-hour period, the intramuscular material in a single amount of 100 mg., and the intravenous material in a volume of 500 cc. of 5 per cent glucose in distilled water infused over a five-hour period. The results of such studies in 2 patients, one a young woman with atopic dermatitis and the other an adult male with asthma, are shown in Figures 1 and 2.