Abstract
The author examined the influences of the intravenous injection of auto-blood diluted with an equal volume of physiological saline solution containing one percent neutral sodium citrate and almost fully raturated with CO2 upon the physiological functions and the clinical symptoms of psychic patients. The results are summarized as follows :
1. The CO2 volume of venous blood usually increased with a few exceptions, while that of arterial blood increased in almost all cases more markedly.
2. The total number of leucocytes increases, though acidphile cells decrease markedly. Erythrocytes decrease temporarily after each injection, but are increased by repeated injections.
3. The pulse rate remains unchanged. The respiration becomes deep and less frequent and irregular. These changes are peculiar to each individual. Blood pressures were elevated in two thirds of the cases examined and lowered in the rest. This lowering is observed rather often and markedly in cases of hypertension.
4. On comparison with the results obtained in the control studies using shaked auto-blood and sodium bicarbonate solution, the findings mentioned above seem to be characteristic to thee injection of auto-blood saturated with CO2.
5. As these changes are quite similar to those induced by various kinds of shock-therapies, the author applied this intravenous injection of auto-blood saturated with CO2 to psychic patients. expecting some therapeutic effects upon them. Thus, the following results were obtained :
6. The curative effects upon manics and depressives, especially upon the latter, were striking. It showed also good effects upon schizophrenics, among whom stuporous catatonics were influenced most favourably. On the other hand, a few cases of catatonia were aggravated and sometimes. excitation was brought about. The effect upon epileptics was doubtful, neurotics hardly underwent any favourable changes.
7. From these facts the author assumed that the essence of this therapeutic method consistedd rather in an activating process than in a tranquillizing one. In conclusion, he wishes to urge the significance of this new method which accompanies no side effect at all.
