Abstract
The author's previous work 1 on the surface tension lowering substance, sodium taurocholate, and its effects on red blood cells as demonstrated by hemolysis suggested like observations on triethanolamine, N (C2H4OH)3, 2 a new surface tension lowering compound now used commercially as an emulsifying agent and superior to similar agents previously used because of its low alkalinity, ability to cause finer and more stable dispersions, its slightly bactericidal powers, etc.
Approximately 25 human bloods were examined, a drop of blood drawn from the patient by syringe being added directly to each tube containing 2 cc. of the solution to be observed. Varying dilutions of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, acetone, saponin, sodium taurocholate, venom from the bothrops atrox and sulphanilic acid were observed for hemolysis as such and containing 5% triethanolamine and the results compared. The influence of triethanolamine on the pH of the solutions and the time of hemolysis were also noted. The first readings registered were taken 2 hours after the addition of the blood. Normal sodium chloride was used as a vehicle with the exception of the sodium, potassium and calcium chloride dilutions and where otherwise noted. The pH of the distilled water and normal sodium chloride ranged from 5.6-5.8.
In the case of the sodium chloride dilutions, hemolysis began at the .40% concentration of the salt without triethanolamine and at the .30% concentration with the triethanolamine, the triethanolamine in each case definitely increasing the alkalinity of the solutions. Similar results were obtained with the potassium and calcium chlorides.
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