Vestibular Effect of Streptomycin in the Mouse

Abstract

UP to the present, experimental methods have yielded very little information concerning vestibular toxicity due to streptomycin ; in medical practice these accidents are very frequent (80–90 per cent of cases treated). Indeed, the fundamental work of Molitor and his collaborators leads to the conclusion that most of the animals used in laboratory work show no recognizable vestibular disturbance, whether as the result of a single heavy dose of streptomycin or of several fractional doses administered over a period of time. According to Molitor¹, dogs are the only animals which show any evidence of cerebellar or vestibular damage comparable to that which has been observed in human beings, whereas mice, frogs, rats and guinea pigs are unaffected. Although Molitor kept under observation a considerable number of animals, we believe that his conclusions should not be accepted as final.