STUDIES ON PRESERVED HUMAN BLOOD: IV. TRANSFUSION OF COLD BLOOD INTO MAN

It is still common clinical practice to maintain at body temperature fluids which are being administered intravenously. This probably originated from clinical dicta which preceded the fundamental work of Seibert 1 on pyrogenic substances. Seibert demonstrated that certain river bacteria could live in distilled water and produce soluble substances called pyrogens, which were ultrafiltrable and were relatively thermostable. When these substances were injected intravenously into rabbits, febrile reactions ensued. This work has been amply confirmed both experimentally and clinically. Subsequent observations when the presence of pyrogens has been carefully excluded have disproved the theory that the temperature of the fluids is responsible for the production of chills and fever. Rademaker 2 reported that intravenous administration to patients of fluids at 20 C. (68 F.) and at 43.3 C. (110 F.) caused no reactions. When cold solutions were given there was a slight drop in the body temperature without chills. Thompson