The effect of anoxemia and oxygen therapy upon the flow of bile and urine in the nembutalized dog

1. Inhalation of 15 per cent oxygen in nitrogen for 30 to 45 minutes resulted in a 16 to 50 per cent decrease in the flow of bile below normal and a 13 to 69 per cent decrease in the flow of urine below normal in 10 nembutalized dogs. 2. Inhalation of mixtures of 10 and 5 per cent oxygen with nitrogen caused a further decrease in the flow of bile and urine. Acholia developed in 2 dogs and anuria in 5 dogs. 3. The inhalation of 100 per cent oxygen for 30 to 45 minutes after the anoxemia resulted in an increase in the flow of bile and urine above that observed during the anoxemia. In 3 dogs the flow was increased above the normal control level. 4. Mild anoxemia may be a predisposing factor in the hepatorenal syndrome of intestinal obstruction, hyperthyroidism and burns. The moderate inhibition of liver and kidney function may make these organs more susceptible to other injurious agents. 5. Severe anoxemia may be a direct causative factor because it produces a severe impairment of liver and kidney function and in some instances it may produce an acholia and anuria.