170 



Scientific Proceedings (107). 



of increased carbon dioxide tension. The acceleration does not, 

 however, as under normal conditions, reach the height necessary 

 to keep CO2 tension and hydrogen ion concentration down to 

 normal limits. It therefore appears that even in light etherization 

 the respiratory center is markedly deadened. 



In deep etherization the carbon dioxide tension rises still 

 higher (over 80 mm. has been observed) and the P H may fall to 

 below 7.2. Respiration not only fails to be accelerated in response 

 to the increased C0 2 tension but may even be so retarded that the 

 oxygen saturation of the arterial blood falls below that normally 

 found in venous. The blood tends to become concentrated. 



Conductivity and chloride determinations on the serum indicate 

 only minute changes. The only striking electrolyte changes 

 appear to be the increase in hydrogen ions and the replacement 

 of part of the bicarbonate HCO3 anions by the anions of acids as 

 yet unidentified. 



