THE EFFECT OF PROLONGED ANOXEMIA ON THE HEART AND SPLEEN IN THE MAMMAL

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Abstract
Fifteen guinea pigs were subjected to low oxygen tensions (12.25-10.5%) for periods varying from 20 to 105 days. The average heart weight-body weight was increased to 155.8% of the normal value. In 9 animals (the data were lost on the other 6) the spleen weight-body weight ratio was increased to 531% of the normal value. It is suggested that the increased red blood cell destruction which the spleen was called upon to perform due to the polycythemia could account for the increased size of that organ. The cardiac hypertrophy could either have been caused by a work hypertrophy or an injury hypertrophy. This work lends exptl. evidence to the observations of Strohl (1910) that rarified atmosphere is capable of producing cardiac hypertrophy.

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