THE EFFECT OF ADRENALINE ON THE INTESTINAL VOLUME

Although the action of adrenaline is most marked on the smaller arterioles, more especially those of the splanchnic area, the capillaries and veins may also be involved, and it is with the changes in the mesenteric veins and their effects on the intestinal volume that I wish to deal. Gunn and Chavasee (1) first showed that the isolated mesenteric vein responded to adrenaline, and, according to Franklin (2) constriction may occur with dilutions of 1:5,000,000. Connet (3), after a detailed study of the factors involved in the effect of adrenaline on the venous pressure, concluded that, in cats more especially, the veno-constrictor action of adrenaline was a very important factor in the rise of venous pressure that may occur under the influence of the drug. Donegan (4), studying the innervation of the veins of the cat, dog, and rabbit, found that the mesenteric veins formed a group which reacted to adrenaline and to reflex influences like the arterioles. Further, he also observed that while the mesenteric veins constricted under the influence of adrenaline this constriction might persist beyond the actual period of increased blood pressure. Langley and Uyeno (5), found that the local injection of adrenaline into the skin of the foot of the cat caused a bluish flush due to the constriction of the small veins as well as the arterioles bringing about a condi-tion of local stasis. Constriction of the efferent mesenteric veins with consequent congestion of the bowel was observed by Henderson (6) whenever the intestine was damaged. This, he regarded as part of the “veno-pressor ” mechanism, failure of which occurred in shock. That mechanical stimulation ma