The lobar variation in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in th
e rat has been assessed by use of a systematic random sampling protoco
l and quantitative morphometry. A random inter-animal lobar variation
in severity of damage was apparent, in contrast with the results obtai
ned previously in which sampling bias, small animal numbers, and lack
of fully quantitative measurement were apparent. The route of administ
ration (oral vs. i.p.) did not influence these findings.