Abstract
Summary and Conclusions
Measurements of plasma volume were made 15 times in 13 subjects in whom convulsions were induced electrically for the treatment of mental disease. Decreases in plasma volume were appreciable and varied in amount with the severity of the seizures induced. The previous administration of curare moderated the convulsions and minimized decreases in plasma volume. It is concluded that the method of Gibson and Evans 1 for measuring plasma volume is valid under the conditions of the present study. It is also concluded that the transitory decreases in plasma volume which occur during electrically induced convulsions are a side reaction and are not essential for obtaining a satisfactory clinical result.
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