INTEGRATIVE ACTION OE PLASMA 343 



a scarcity of oxygen in the air hreatlied — analysis will show 

 that, (ii.) The lung mechanism may he out of order (Chap. 

 XXVII.). (iii.) The memhrane separating lung-air from blood 

 may have lost its permeability. Comparison oi" the oxygen 

 capacity of arterial blood with its actual oxygen content will 

 indicate whether or not this is the fault, (iv.) This will also 

 show if the erythrocytes are taking on their fidl load. {\.) If 

 the blood suffers little or no desaturation on passing through the 

 organ, then one may presume either that the haemoglobin has 

 lost its power of unloading oxygen (methaemoglobin) or that the 

 organ has lost the power of using oxygen. Examination of the 

 blood pigment by means of the spectroscope may help us to choose 

 which of these alternatives is correct. 



No matter what organ or tissue it is that fails to function 

 normally — it must remain in dynamic equilibrium with the blood, 

 and through the blood with every other tissue and organ in the 

 body. Every change occurring anywhere in the body sets in 

 motion a series of far-reaching alterations tending to restore 

 equilibrium. It is this constant adjustment of physical and 

 physico-chemical force brought about mainly via the inland 

 transport system that goes to make up the metabolism of the 

 organism. 



Further Readixs 



Barcroft. '' The Respiratory Function of the Blood." Cambridge Univer- 

 sity Press. 



L. J. Hexderson. In " Certain Aspects of Biochemistry." University of 

 London Press. 



Van iSlyke. " Factors Affecting the Distribution of Electrolytes, Water 

 and Gases in the Animal Body." Lippincott. 



