514 INFLUENCE OF X-RAYS ON PROPERTIES OF BLOOD 



I hour after the x-ray exposure. After the first hour the interval 

 between counts has been 1 hour and the maximum decrease occurs 

 between 3 and 5 hours, the same period noted for the maximum change 

 in the reaction of the plasma. 



Summarized briefly the results of these experiments show that there 

 exists a definite alkali excess in the body of the rabbit following an 

 exposure to the dose of x-rays employed. Since there is an increase 

 in the bicarbonate content of the plasma as well as an increase in the 



BA 



pH (i.e. a decrease in the Ch"^), then evidently the — — ratio must be 



HA. 



disturbed in a manner which defines a state of uncompensated alkali 

 excess. 3 The maximum change in the reaction of the plasma is reached 

 between 3 and 5 hours following exposure to radiation. The pH is 

 observed to reach a normal level before the bicarbonate, which indi- 

 cates the existence of a period of compensated alkali excess before 

 the animal returns to normal. Evidence is found which significantly 

 associates the point of maximum change in the reaction of the plasma 

 with the maximum change noted in the white cell counts of the blood. 

 With these facts established we directed our attention to the possi- 

 bility of producing a state of alkali excess in the rabbit by injecting 

 sodium bicarbonate, and to the study of any chemical and morphologi- 

 cal blood changes which might ensue. As a guide to the amount of 

 salt to inject, we availed ourselves of the formula developed by Palmer 

 and Van Slyke,"* for bicarbonate administration with reference to the 

 effect of a given amount of salt on the reaction of the body fluids. 

 The formula is based on the fact that 1 gm. of NaHCOs yields 267 

 cc. of CO2 measured under standard conditions. If now it is assumed 

 that 0.7 of the body weight is fluid, it is obvious that there are 700 

 cc. of fluid for each kilo of body weight and 1 gm. of bicarbonate 



would increase the CO2 content - — volumes per cent. This expres- 



38 

 sion simplifies to — where W is the body weight expressed in kilo- 

 grams. If now we let b = the volume per cent increase in CO2, we 



' Van Slyke, D. D., J. Biol. Chem., 1921, xlviii, 1. 



* Palmer, W. W., and Van Slyke, D. D., J. Biol. Chem., 1917, xxxii, 499. 



