TOTAL PLASMAPHERESIS

Abstract

Edema or shock did not appear in dog or cat when the plasma protein concn. was reduced almost to zero by alternate bleeding and infusion with a Ringer-Locke solution containing 6% gum acacia in which was suspended eiythrocytes of the same species. The plasma protein concn. returned to normal in about 125 hrs. in cat and in about 200 hrs. in dog. The plasma proteins evidently do not possess some specific and unique power to control the permeability of the endothelial wall, as has been claimed, but their function is physical, in maintaining the colloidal osmotic pressure and the volume of the blood.