Abstract
The local effect of single and repeated spasm of the small blood vessels apparently ultimately results in alterations in the tissues that can be demonstrated objectively. This has been shown by us in production of experimental bacterial endocarditis and also observed in studies of bacterial localization in the central nervous system. Vascular spasms were induced by single and repeated injections of pitressin (betahypophamine).
Our experiments were carried out on dogs and rabbits. The dose most useful for our purpose was found to be 20 pressor units per 5 kg. of weight of the dog and 10 pressor units per 2 kg. of weight of the rabbit. The pitressin was administered intravenously from one single dose to 50 doses in dogs and from 5 to 19 doses in rabbits. The repeated injections were given twice a week. Five dogs and 2 rabbits died, the rest were killed at certain time intervals.
The gastrointestinal tract was examined and the following data obtained:
In 12 of the 35 dogs there were macroscopic pathological changes in the stomach (multiple hemorrhages, erosions and small ulcers), one of these 12 dogs revealed a typical large stomach ulcer; in one dog there were lesions in the duodenum with multiple hemorrhages and erosions.
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