106 



HEMOGLOBIN 



in dilute solution cannot be trusted to stand the amount of shaking 

 and general maltreatment which is required for the establishment of 

 an equilibrium between it and the very low concentrations of carbon 

 monoxide used on such occasions. Evidence can be obtained as to 

 the general nature of the reaction with the establishment of an 

 equilibrium by the study of the velocity of the reactions between 



100 



40 50 

 Fig. 31. 



TOO 



haemoglobin and carbon monoxide or oxygen. Such evidence will be 

 discussed in Chapters xiv and xv. Meanwhile we can do little more 

 than make a list of the conditions which influence the equilibrium. 



The dissociation curve of oxyhaemoglobin may be influenced by 

 any of the following conditions : (1) temperature, (2) saline concentra- 

 tion of the solvent, (3) hydrogen-ion concentration, (4) concentration 

 of the haemoglobin itself. 



The effect of temperature may be taken first because probably it 

 alters the curve in a very simple way. The point is an important one, 



