Delay of the Early Inflammatory Response by Cortisone.

Summary The effect of cortisone on the earliest tissue phases of the inflammatory reaction in the skin of rabbits was studied. A combination of croton oil and scarification was used as the inflammatory stimulus. In animals given cortisone, all of the tissue components of the inflammatory reaction were delayed, and some were quantitatively reduced. Vascular margination of leukocytes, migration of leukocytes from blood vessels, and the formation of fibrin and edema were strikingly altered. The ultimate development of necrosis was diminished. The relationship of these observed facts to the enhancing effect of cortisone and ACTH on certain bacterial infections is suggested.