Shock Associated with Deep Muscle Burns. ∗

Abstract

Conclusions

It was not found possible to produce a progressive decline in arterial pressure, leading to death in lightly anesthetized dogs by means of deep muscle burns alone. A prodromal state of shock was produced, however, since the resistance of these dogs to bleeding was significantly less than that of control dogs similarly anesthetized but not burned. Since the volume of blood which had to be removed from the burned dogs in order to lower their mean arterial pressure to 50 mm Hg, plus the volume of edema in the legs, was as large as or larger in each case than the bleeding volume of the corresponding control dogs, it is concluded that the accumulation of fluid at the site of the burn is the principal factor responsible for the prodromal stage of shock in the burned dogs. Association of the extensive muscle destruction with restriction of movement and with prolonged moderately deep anesthesia converts the prodromal stage into outspoken shock with death of the dog even when the accumulation of fluid at the site of the burn is quite small.