Experimental hexachlorophene intoxication in young swine.

Hexachlorophene (HCP) intoxication in swine was studied as a possible model of HCP poisoning in human beings. Swine were topically or orally given HCP each day, and observations were made on central nervous system function, hematologic measurements, serum chemical analyses, necropsy, microscopic examination of tissues, and concentrations of HCP residues in blood and tissue. Intoxication was observed in orally exposed swine, but the syndrome was not consistently produced in topically exposed swine. Signs and microscopic lesions were all related to dysfunction of the central nervous system, e.g., incoordination, paresis, and status spongiosus. Occurrence of signs and lesions, mortality rates, and concentrations of HCP residue were positively correlated with the dosage of HCP given.