Traumatic Shock

Abstract

A state of "irreversible" shock was induced in dogs by a standardized bleeding procedure. Some of the animals were then treated by peritoneal irrigation with a balanced buffered salt soln. or by dialysis with an artificial kidney. Measurements were made of plasma pH, total CO2, blood sugar, blood urea N, and serum K, Na, and Cl. Azotemia, hyperkalemia and acidosis, which were present in the untreated animals, were corrected by the artificial kidney but not by peritoneal irrigation. Both types of treatment prolonged mean survival time. No evidence for the existence of a diffusible toxin was demonstrated.