THE PROTHROMBIN LEVELS OF ANIMALS IN SHOCK

Abstract

Shock was produced in rats by a clamping technique and in dogs by the application of pressure cuffs to the hind limbs. Blood samples obtained from the shocked animals tended to clot in the presence of normally adequate amounts of heparin or oxalate. The prothrombin time, plasma time, clotting time, and prothrombin titre of the blood were determined before and during shock. The chief change noted in the clotting system was a more rapid activation of prothrombin in the samples from the shocked animals and from clamped controls. The cause of this change has not been established. It does not seem to be related to the activity of a proteolytic enzyme.