64 Composition of Blood Gases during Respiration of Oxygen. 



The first nine experiments were made some time ago, without the 

 precautions we have insisted upon as being necessary in the use of the blood 

 pump, and the nitrogen values are above the true value. The last two 

 experiments given in Table III were carried out with all precautions, the 

 pump washed out with oxygen, and rendered vacuous with liquid air, and it 

 will be seen that the nitrogen values are 1'07 and 96 per cent, of blood 

 respectively ; figures exactly the same as those which we found for the 

 nitrogen-content of cat's blood * 



The oxygen-content of venous blood is seen to vary from 2 - 63 c.c. to 

 108 c.c. per 100 c.c. of blood. 



In Table IV we give the values of venous blood of cats breathing oxygen. 

 The oxygen figures vary from 3*5 c.c. to 13 - 49 c.c. per 100 c.c. of blood, and 

 are of much the same order as during the respiration of air. 



Conclusions. 



The experiments detailed in this paper would appear to justify the 

 following conclusions : — 



1. The inhalation of oxygen does not materially augment the quantity of 

 this gas in the blood. 



2. The inhalation of oxygen apparently does not alter the average carbon 

 dioxide content of the blood. 



We are carrying out further experiments on the inhalation of oxygen, 

 with a view to testing the validity of the above conclusions. 



We take this opportunity of thanking the Committee of the Government 

 Grant of the Koyal Society for assistance in partly defraying the expenses 

 connected with this work. 



* ' Journ. Physiol.,' 1910, vol. 41, p. 61. 



