Relative Significance of Water and of Protein Loss in Dehydration Shock

Abstract

Conclusions

Shock which follows the subcutaneous injection of hypertonic NaCl solution can be explained by a loss of fluid at the site of injection. This fluid contains only small amounts of protein, and it is suggested that it consists partly of water derived from the blood and partly of water derived from the interstitial tissue spaces. The presence of hemoconcentration is due to a loss of the aqueous fraction of the plasma rather than to a loss of whole plasma. Rapid loss of water from the blood is capable of producing acute circulatory failure.