Abstract
Several observers have used alterations in the number of leucocytes in the peripheral circulation as index of the autonomic functional status of the area under examination. This report represents a preliminary study of the influence of the application of heat and cold to the skin of dogs upon the relative concentration of leucocytes in the trachea as compared to the skin.
The trachea of a dog was exposed by median line incision; nembutal anaesthesia (1 cc. of a 3% solution per kilo intraperitoneally) was used. The incision was extended through the wall of the trachea and about 2-inch length of the mucosa was exposed. Blood specimens were taken simultaneously from the mucosa of the trachea and from the ear of the animal for leucocyte counts. These counts were made through a certain extent of time during which ice and hot water packs were applied to the body surface.
The accompanying chart (I and II) shows the result of these experiments. The abscissa represents the time in minutes and the ordinate the leucocyte count. “N” is the average normal leucocyte count, plus and minus representing an increase or decrease of the leucocytes expressed in percent. The continuous line shows the leucocyte count of peripheral blood and the dotted line the leucocyte count of blood from the mucosa of the trachea. Ice packs were applied to the chest and abdomen in 2 animals and the results shown in Chart I. Chart II (8 animals used) represents the same procedure, except that heat (hot moist towels) was applied at the time indicated.
To these 2 series we added (Chart III) (2 dogs) where instead of chilling the animal with ice we injected intravenously 10 cc. of milk. This produced a much stronger reaction.
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