1907.]. Function of Red Corpuscles in Chloroform Anaesthesia. 577 



of blood is practically the same. In the third experiment a small increase 

 is noticed after restoration of blood. In the case of the two incomplete 

 experiments the percentages of chloroform in the blood after replacement are 

 of the same order of magnitude as is found in normal animals at the stage 

 when respiration ceases. 



Experiments in which comparisons yjere made of the percentage of chloroform 

 in the blood at the asphyxial state in the normal animal, after a hcemorrhage, and 

 after the replacement of the blood which had been withdrawn by the blood of 

 another animal of the same species. 



The mode of experiment was the same as that already described ; the 

 results are given in table (No. V). 



The results given in Table V confirm generally the results of the experi- 

 ments quoted in the previous tables. Closer results cannot be expected when 

 the prolonged and complex nature of the experiment is taken into considera- 

 tion. In connection with Experiment XXIY we have thought it advisable to 

 give the tracings of the respiratory movements which were obtained before 

 bleeding the animal, after withdrawal and after replacement of blood, 

 together with curves indicating the rate of the respirations during these three 

 conditions. These tracings and curves are broadly typical of a large number 

 of experiments. In the case of all the ^experiments in which Woulff's bottle 

 was used, the figures given for the percentage of chloroform administered 

 were obtained by a densimetric estimation at the end of the experiment, and, 

 therefore, only represent the strength of the chloroform-air mixture for the 

 particular time they were taken. They probably indicate, however, within 

 narrow limits, the average value during the experiment. 



Conclusions. 



The experiments we think show that the percentage of chloroform in the 

 blood does not suffer any variation corresponding to differences in the 

 volume of circulating blood, and the results are therefore in accord with 

 what we should have expected would be the case if the red corpuscles were 

 the essential agents for the transport of chloroform. 



As to the duration of time which elapses between the commencement 

 of the inhalation of chloroform and cessation of respiration, it will be noticed 

 that the length of time does not vary according to the volume of blood in 

 circulation ; some times this was shorter, sometimes longer after than before 

 a haemorrhage. A somewhat greater equality in time is apparent in those 

 Experiments where the respiration ceased at an early period of anaesthesia. 



