Acute Effect of Scalding Injury on Blood Flow in Muscle and Subcutaneous Tissue in the Paw of the Anaesthetized Dog

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Abstract
Blood flow in muscle and subcutaneous tissue was studied before and after a scalding injury of the dog paw. The hydrogen clearance technique was used in anaesthetized dogs. As scalding of the paw resulted in an increased blood pressure and muscular movements, animals were given a muscle relaxant and ventilated artificially. Before scalding injury the blood flow was 29.8 and 19.7 ml per min per 100 g in muscular and subcutaneous tissue, respectively. After immersion of the paw for 10 sec in water of 100 degrees C the blood flow transiently increased and later decreased. No major changes were found in the contralateral paw. The decrease was most pronounced (50%) in subcutaneous tissue. In the acute situation the impeded circulation in the burn oedema may protect the organism from potentially harmful substances formed in the injured tissue.