THE EFFECTS OF MORPHINE ON DOGS IN HEMORRHAGIC AND TRAUMATIC SHOCK

Abstract

The intravenous injn. of 2 mg./ kg. of morphine into 5 unanesthetized normal dogs produced a period of excitement after which the respiratory rate and volume, O2 consumption, heart rate, and blood pressure fell sharply. Concurrently, the venous O2, arterial CO2 and cardiac output decreased, whereas the calculated peripheral resistance increased. The injn. of the same dose of morphine into 10 dogs in hemorrhagic shock resulted in a momentary fall followed by a rise in blood pressure. The latter was associated with a temporary increase in venous O2, arterial CO2 and cardiac output. When morphine was administered to 9 dogs during severe traumatic shock, there was a further reduction in blood pressure, O2 consumption and cardiac output.