Effect of Adrenal Hormone Overdosage on Bacterial Removal by the Splanchnic Viscera.

Chronic administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisone had no effect on the removal of M. aureus var pyogenes by the splanchnic vascular system. It is suggested that the increased incidence of bacteremia seen after ACTH and cortisone as well as that seen in the leucopenic states is the result of poor localization of the organisms in the tissues. In the former, the reduction in the inflammatory reaction and the change in the metabolism of leucocytes are important. In the latter, white blood cells are not present to migrate into the lesion. There was a questionable increase in removal rate after acute administration (4 hours).