Abstract
The cells which are grouped together under the name of the reticulo-endothelial system phagocytose particulate material and destroy or neutralize the action of many soluble toxins present in the circulating blood. The present study was made to observe if a partial blockage of the phagocytic ability of the reticulo-endothelial system had any effect on the length of time an animal would survive following the production of a complete obstruction in the distal portion of the ileum.
Rabbits were selected as most suitable for these experiments. All surgical work was performed under ether anesthesia and with sterile technic. Routine necropsy examinations were made on each animal. To determine the length of time a normal rabbit would live following the production of a complete obstruction in the distal portion of the ileum the following preliminary experiment was performed: In a series of normal rabbits which weighed between 1200 and 3100 gm. a complete obstruction was made by placing a tie of tape 10 cm. proximal to the ileo-cecal valve. Three rabbits lived from 40 to 50 hours; 3 lived from 60 to 70 hours, and 4 lived from 70 to 89 hours after the operative procedure. Forty-four hours was the shortest period while 89 hours was the longest period any animal survived the operation. The average length of life was 65.8 hours. A second series of 11 normal animals which weighed between 1150 and 3000 gm. were selected. A colloidal preparation of graphite was made and injected intravenously at daily intervals. To avoid the formation of emboli the first injection consisted of as small quantities as 0.5 cc. of the graphite preparation. This amount was gradually increased until 10 cc. was injected at one time.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.