Administration, either by mouth or under skin, of urethane to rabbits in a dose of 1.0-2.0 grms. per kilo of body weight calls forth a long lasting hyperglycaemia and glycosuria. The hyperglycaemia indicates a wavelike fluctuation of the intensity, the length of one wave being some hours long, sometimes over ten hours.
The intensity of hyperglycaemia and glycosuria chiefly depends upon the depth of narcosis. The intensity of hyperglycaemia and the magnitude of the fall of body temperature during the narcosis on the whole run parallel, and the protection of the body temperature fall can to some extent diminish the intensity of hyperglycaemia and glycosuria.
Section of the splanchnic nerves on both sides has no influence upon the glycogenolytic action of urethane in rabbits.
The oxygen content and its total capacity of arterial blood begin to decrease in the later stage of urethane narcosis, say 12 hours, and advance further in diminishing.
The epinephrine load of the suprarenals diminishes under urethane narcosis; denervation of the gland can largely prevent the exhaustion.
When the urethane hyperglycaemia is remarkable, diminution of the glycogen content of the muscles is unmistakable, while that of the liver shows a somewhat similar tendency, but inconstant.