370 EXAMPLES OF CHEMICAL CORRELATION 



blood-supply at first reduces the output of urine, but when the blood- 

 pressure effect passes off, which it does rather rapidly, a decided 

 Diuresis follows. 



Local subcutaneous administration of adrenaline so constricts the 

 adjacent vessels that its absorption is thereby much delayed and its 

 action is prolonged. It is upon this fact that the extensive employ- 

 ment of adrenaline in minor surgical operations depends. Bleeding is 

 prevented, and an unobstructed view of the tissues is secured for the 

 period of the operation. Furthermore, local Anesthetics simultaneously 

 applied share in the difficulty of absorption, and therefore continue 

 their local analgesic action for a longer period than would otherwise be 

 attainable. The tendency to post-operative hemorrhage is, however, 

 said to be enhanced by adrenaline and it is also to be remembered that 



FIG. 22. Blood-pressure (B.P.} and bowel volume (7.7.) of cat. At A injection of 

 adrenaline. The blood-pressure rises and bowel volume diminishes, indicating con- 

 striction of the mesenteric vessels. As these relax again the blood-pressure falls. The 

 vagi had been divided previously, so that there is no secondary slowing of the heart. 

 (After Cushny.) 



the normal defense of the tissues against infections is supplied by the 

 blood and by the leukocytes which the blood and lymph contain, so 

 that a measure of natural protection against bacterial invasions is 

 denied the tissues by this procedure. 



An important affect of intravenous injections of adrenaline is the 

 appearance of Glucohemia and its resultant, Glycosuria. The power of 

 the liver to polymerize glucose is apparently rendered deficient and the 

 normal equilibrium between glycogen and glucose in the liver-tissues is 

 shifted in favor of the glucose. 



It has been established in many ways that minute quantities of 

 adrenaline are constantly present in the blood. That this must be 

 continually supplied to the blood by the suprarenal glands follows from 

 the fact that injected adrenaline very rapidly disappears from the 

 circulation and the tissues, being apparently destroyed or, at all events, 



