EFFECTIVE OSMOTIC PRESSURE OF THE PLASMA PROTEINS AND OTHER QUANTITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CAPILLARY CIRCULATION IN THE HINDLIMBS OF CATS AND DOGS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Methods are described for measuring mean capillary pressure, effective osmotic pressure of the plasma proteins, and rates of fluid transfer across the capillary membranes in the hindlimbs of cats and dogs. The effective osmotic pressure of the plasma proteins within the living capillaries was 93[plus or minus]2% of the protein pressure as measured in vitro. The rate of fluid transfer was proportional to the difference between the mean capillary pressure and the effective osmotic pressure of the plasma proteins. The Starling hypothesis may therefore be applied quantitatively to the circulation in mammalian capillaries. The results provide the basis for a quantitative study of factors determining capillary pressure and fluid exchange in the mammalian circulation.