The Production of Atherosclerosis in Rabbits by Feeding Diets Rich in Meat

In an earlier communication, Newburgh and Squier1reported the occurrence of atherosclerosis in two small groups of rabbits (eleven in all) that had been fed high protein diets. While the evidence at hand indicated that the vascular lesions had been caused by the high protein diets, such a conclusion was not safe because it was felt that the experiments were too few to permit a generalization. This paper deals with the further investigation of the effect of high protein diets on the arteries of rabbits; but the presentation of the new material will be preceded by a definition of the term "atherosclerosis," and by a discussion of the work of earlier students of experimental atherosclerosis. DEFINITION The causes of human atherosclerosis have been sought for, by means of animal experimentation, by a large number of investigators. They have attempted to injure the vessels by the use of a great many