EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON THE TREATMENT OF FROSTBITE IN RATS

The effect of treatment by high dose of vitamin C, rapid rewarming by 37-degrees-C water alone and with vitamin C, rapid rewarming by 37-deg rees-C decoction of Indian black tea alone and with vitamin C for expe rimentally produced frostbite was evaluated in 6 groups (25 each) of r ats. Frostbite was produced experimentally in the hind limbs by exposi ng the animals at -15-degrees-C for lh using the harness technique. Th e degree of injury was assessed and classified on the basis of tissue necrosis at the end of 15 days. Administration of high dose of vitamin C for prolonged period and rapid rewarming at 37-degrees-C water bath immediately after cold exposure apparently reduced the tissue damage. High dose of vitamin C therapy preceded by rapid rewarming in plain w ater showed additional benefit. Rapid rewarming in decoction of Indian tea resulted in identical beneficial effect. The degree of tissue pre servation was highest with rapid rewarming in tea decoction followed b y high dose of vitamin C.