SHOCK 41 



these saprophytic organisms was apparently in- 

 creased. When, however, we remember that by the 

 virulence of a microorganism we mean little more 

 than a quantity which is inversely proportional to the 

 resistance of the host, it is seen that in the presence 

 of a relatively high concentration of cytost the ability 

 of the host to overcome a comparatively weak invader 

 is nullified. This interesting aspect of the subject will 

 be treated more fully in a subsequent chapter. 



Let us now return again to the effects of anesthesia, 

 for we must consider yet another source of toxemia 

 resulting from the action of the anesthetic upon the 

 gastrointestinal tract. (Turck, 1903b.) Animals in 

 which gastric fistulae had been previously established 

 were anesthetized with chloroform or ether in such 

 a fashion as to preclude swallowing of these sub- 

 stances. This was accomplished either by tracheot- 

 omy or effective plugging of the esophagus. After 

 brief periods of anesthesia, the stomach and its con- 

 tents were examined by means of the fistula. 



An initial hyperchlorhydria was observed, this be- 

 ing followed by a diminished secretion of acid and 

 ferments. Subsequently large quantities of mucus 

 were formed. These results harmonize with those 

 previously found when other irritants such as tannin 

 and mustard were applied to the gastric mucosa. 

 (Turck, 1895, 1896.) Incidentally, these results were 

 subsequently confirmed by Pawlow (1902) . 



The presence of anesthetics in the stomach was 

 proved by distilling washings and applying the usual 

 chemical tests to the distillate. Early in this chapter 

 we have summarized the author's work concerning 

 the production of shock by gastric irritants. From 



