BLOOD-TRANSFUSION. 473 



but steady osmotic pressure exerted by the proteins of the blood 

 which, of course, are much diluted when a salt solution is transfused 

 into the veins. To overcome this difficulty it has been suggested 

 that solutions of gum arabic having the same viscosity as the 

 blood (6 to 7 per cent.) may be used, after they are made isotonic 

 by the addition of sodium chlorid or sodium bicarbonate. Accord- 

 ing to the reports made, transfusions with such solutions give more 

 favorable and permanent results than solutions containing only 

 crystalloid bodies. * 



* See Bayliss, "Proceedings &oyal Society," 89 B, 381, 1916; also "Report 

 to Medical Research Committee," No. 1, November 25, 1917. 



