Abstract
It has been suggested that an increase in blood calcium might diminish anaphylactic shock, and that the hypercalcemia following the injection of parathyroid hormone might be useful in this connection.
To study this point a series of experiments have been carried out in dogs which had been sensitized to egg albumin.
Of 8 sensitized animals, 4 received 5 cc. of the Collip Para-thormone on the day preceding the injection of the shocking dose. Calcium determinations made on these animals before the reinjection of the egg albumin showed calcium levels from 12.6 to 15 mg. per 100 cc. of serum, with corresponding low K/Ca ratios. The pulse rate was low (42–60), but the blood pressure within normal limits.
On intravenous injection of the antigen no appreciable difference was noted in the response of the animals with hypercalcemia, and those not treated with the parathyroid extract. The duration and degree of fall in blood pressure, as well as the other manifestations of the shock, (leukocyte count, coagulability, gastro-intestinal effects and temperature changes) were practically identical.
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