SUDDEN DEATH FROM DINITROPHENOL POISONING

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Abstract
In an article in July 1933, Cutting, Mehrtens and Tainter1stressed the remarkable potency of dinitrophenol as a metabolic stimulant and brought forward evidence (based on extensive animal experimentation and a small series of human cases) that its administration in proper dosage accelerates cellular metabolism apparently without harmful effects. They therefore proposed its carefully supervised clinical use in the treatment of "obesity, hypothyroidism, and similar depressed metabolic states." However, because of its known toxic properties they warned that "there are limitations to and possible dangers from the use of this drug clinically. It should be used only under strictly controlled conditions." This warning was emphasized in an editorial2and by a preliminary report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry of the American Medical Association,3which appeared in the same issue (July 15) ofThe Journal. The editorial stated that "a drug with the potency and effects

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