This test method is designed as an initial screening procedure for the selection of compounds worthy of more detailed study.

This test method is applicable to the study of most drugs and chemicals, and will properly estimate both lethal and minimally effective dose levels. Although it is designed for the study of single components, it can be used to study the comparative toxicity of mixtures or formulations. The method may not be applicable to oily substances which cause embolism upon injection.

This test method requires only small quantities of test materials (approximately 1 g), a fact that enhances its utility as the initial biological study for newly synthesized substances.

It is equally economical in its requirements for equipment, space, personnel, and animals. Only a small laboratory, simple test equipment, and two technicians are needed to conduct the experiments. Furthermore, an average of only thirty mice are required to conduct the entire test method.

The procedure is applicable to a wide variety of materials. When results of this test were compared with those from more detailed and specific animal tests, a high degree of correlation was obtained. Further evidence of the utility of the test was demonstrated by the fact that a high correlation of rank order potencies was found for a series of anticholinergics studied in both mice and men.