Hydropericardium and Ascites in Chicks Fed a Chlorinated Hydrocarbon

AN epoxy-resin paint† has been used in our laboratory to coat galvanized batteries employed for trace mineral studies. This paint was supplied as two separate fractions which were mixed just prior to use. One portion contained the epoxy monomer and the other the amine hardener which catalyzed polymerization. On one occasion the paint did not harden before chicks were placed in the battery and within 3 weeks the chicks showed symptoms closely resembling those of the “chick edema” or “toxic fat” syndrome described by Schmittle et al. (1958) and Sanger et al. (1958). Because of the interest in the chemical nature of the toxic factor (Brew et al., 1959; Friedman et al., 1959; Wooton and Alexander, 1959; Harman et al., 1960) that has been observed in feed-grade fats and the lipid origin of certain components of the paint, it seemed worthwhile to investigate further the causative agent in the …