the draize test is a test, to see if a substance is toxic. john h. draize and jacob m. spines first used the test in 1944. the test was first used for cosmetics, but later for other substances as well. to see if a substance is toxic, it is applied to the skin or the eye of an animal, for a given time. after the time, the substance is washed out and the effects are recorded. very often, small animals, such as rabbits were used. after the test, the animals are observed for up to 14 days. if the test does irreversible damage to the skin or the eye, the animal is killed after the test. animals may be re-used for testing purposes if the product tested causes no permanent damage. animals are typically reused after a "wash out" period during which all traces of the tested product are allowed to disperse from the test site.