Experimental studies on the treatment of frostbite in rats.

The effect of treatment of high dose of vitamin C, rapid rewarming by 37°C water alone and with vitamin C, rapid rewarming by 37°C decoction of Indian black tea alone and with vitamin C for experimentally produced frostbite was evaluated in 6 groups (25 each) of rats. Frostbite was produced experimentally in the hind limbs by exposing the animals at − 15°C for 1 h using the harness technique. The degree of injury was assessed and classified on the basis of tissue necrosis at the end of 15 days. Administration of high dose of vitamin C for prolonged period and rapid rewarming at 37°C water bath immediately after cold exposure apparently reduced the tissue damage