1e:T43e,The LD 50 ± S.E. of acetylsalicylic acid administered rectally to male albino rats was found to be 0.79 ± 0.027 g/kg, which is significantly less than the oral LD 50 . The minimal dose producing toxic symptoms was about 0.20 g/kg. The most significant toxic signs were ataxia, drowsiness, dyspnea, pallor, diarrhea, and anorexia. The immediate cause of death was respiratory failure preceded by coma or clonic convulsions. Loss in body weight, inhibition of food intake, and interval until death were dose-dependent. The drug caused diuresis and aciduria but no significant changes in colonic temperature, or in urinary glucose or protein. Death at 4 to 9 hours was associated with extensive capillary–venous congestion and at 24 hours and over with degenerative changes in the kidneys and liver. Congestive and hemorrhagic ulcers appeared in the pyloric stomach at 4 hours, reached a peak at 24 hours, and thereafter began to heal. Local reaction in the colon and cecum was limited to mild inflammation. Significant loss of weight and a gain in water level occurred in most organs.1f:T44e,THERE have been many clinical and experimental observations demonstrating a causal relationship between gastrointestinal bleeding and the ingestion of salicylate compounds.^1-7Many people investigating this problem have shown an erosive effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the gastric mucosa. Gastroscopic observations,^5-7autopsy studies,^8,9and surgical specimens³have shown direct evidence of mucosal irritation after aspirin ingestion. There has been much discussion regarding the ability of salicylates to cause gastrointestinal bleeding other than by direct mucosal irritation.^10-14Clark and Adams,¹⁵while studying the effect of oral aspirin administration on gastric acid using ennervated Cope pouches,¹⁶noted concomitant bleeding in the pouches. The bleeding, however, was not quantitated. Cope pouches (Fig 1) are constructed so that they do not provide for immediate egress of gastric juice. They, therefore, must be aspirated frequently to avoid distention and complications thereof. It was our purpose in this study to

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