Abstract
During the course of our studies of the effects of gastrectomy on various species of animals, 8 of a group of 10 Macacus rhesus monkeys were gastrectomized, 2 being retained as controls. The age at which gastrectomy was performed could not be ascertained.
After recovery from the operation the same varied diet which included milk, bananas, oranges, apples, boiled potatoes, carrots, peanuts, etc. was fed the gastrectomized and control monkeys. Blood studies consisting of red blood count, hemoglobin (Newcomer), hematocrit and Price-Jones counts were made at frequent intervals. One X-ray film of the bones was made of each monkey.
Our studies showed that after an initial weight loss that lasted for approximately 80 days the gastrectomized monkeys slowly gained in weight to become relatively constant about 240 days after the operation. Five of the 8 gastrectomized monkeys are still alive 606, 396, 356, 347, and 228 days after operation. Three of the 5 have not regained their preoperative weight level, but are apparently in good health. The gastrectomized monkeys had an oligocythemic, hypochromic, normocytic anemia for about 180 days after operation. Two monkeys, more anemic than the others, were each given a 0.1 gm. ampoule of ferric ammonium citrate subcutaneously every other day for one month. Their Mood pictures immediately improved markedly and have remained relatively constant. At this time the blood pictures of the gastrectomized and control monkeys are comparable.
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