Crude oil—Its impact on the rat's heat balance

1. 1. The effect of Midale Crude Oil on the heat balance of the rat was studied by contamination of the digestive system and the integument. The rat was used as a model for a mammal bearing fur. 2. 2. Contamination through the digestive system (0.8 ml/kg) did not cause any increase in oxygen consumption ( VO 2). An increase in b (the difference between body temperature measured before and at the end of exposure to 27°C was noted in such rats 24 hr after contamination. 3. 3. An increase in VO 2 was observed only in integument contaminated rats 2 hr after contamination. T b in such rats increased only after 96 hr due to licking. 4. 4. The results of this study distinguished between the different effects of heat balance, caused by contamination through the digestive system and through the integument.