The Effect of Testicular Extract on the Distribution and Absorption of Subcutaneous Saline Solution *

The administration of subcutaneous fluid to patients is today in general and widespread use. The disadvantages of this method of fluid introduction are: first, the procedure is time consuming; second, pain and discomfort to the patient are usually considerable due to the excessive stretching of the skin; and third, the absorption of the fluid is at times less rapid than the physician would like. In spite of these disadvantages this procedure is carried out daily in most surgical and medical wards of any considerable size. It would appear that most of these disadvantages could be obviated if some substance were added to the injected solution which would: (a) cause greater distribution and more rapid absorption of the fluid; (b) be devoid of toxicity on direct inoculation; (c) not enhance pre-existing infection; (d) lack antigenic properties, so that it will not elicit reactions on repeated injection. The spreading factor from mammalian testicle clearly complies3 14, 15 with the first two requirements. Therefore, it was thought worth while to study, experimentally, the possibilities of such a factor for clinical use. The object of this investigation was to check experimentally the four conditions listed above. The permeability of subcutaneous tissue and of the blood and lymph vessels, the rate and volume of flow in these vessels, and the pressure within the tissues are the important variable factors concerned in the removal of subcutaneous fluid. The permeability of blood and lymph vessels is being investigated by several workers,12, 17, 19, 22 as is the permeability of connective tissue. Tissue permeability can be altered by various agents, and, although studies