The Vasomotor Depression in Canine Anaphylaxis

Abstract

Abstract In an earlier paper (1) it was shown that the coagulability of the blood in anaphylactic dogs is due directly to a reaction on the part of the cells of the liver. At the same time the suggestion was offered that the vasomotor depression night be due to a local congestive reaction of the liver, leading to a depletion of the general circulation, and in consequence, to a marked fall in blood pressure. This view was based on the observation that in very acute shock in dogs the liver alone of the abdominal organs presents an intense grade of congestion. The following experiments are in support of that suggestion. A dog is sensitized actively by means of the intravenous injection of horse serum. After an interval of three weeks the animal is etherized and the abdomen is opened by a median epigastric incision.