The Carbon Dioxide Dissociation Curve and the Hydrogen Ion Concentration of the Blood of Rabbits, the Body Temperature of which Falls on Conducting the Cold=Puncture

Abstract

The CO₂ combining power and pH of the blood of the rabbit, the body temperature of which fell by conducting the cold-puncture, were determined at the temperature corresponding to that at the time when the blood sample was taken out, and at 38°C. as well.
Compared with the normal values, the CO₂ combining power of the blood at that body temperature (18°-34°, mean 25°) was found to have distinctly increased. When tested at 38°, it was found only insignificantly increased.
The pH of the blood was also found remaining wholly normal in face of considerable fall of the body temperature when tested at 18°-34°, mean 25°, but when tested at 38°, pH was found decreased though insignificantly.
Increasing of the CO₂ combining power of the blood as the body temperature decreases, is an adjustment of the organism for physio-logically maintaining the function of the blood as the carrier of the gas. The O₂ combining power in such case has been previously discussed in the paper of Hirayama.