THE PRESENT STATUS OF PLASMA EXPANDERS

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Abstract
The term "blood substitute," used extensively during World War I and at the beginning of World War II, has been abandoned, since it is agreed that there is no real substitute for blood either in content or in function. In addition, the use of this term is misleading, especially to the public, raising the question as to the necessity for contributions of blood for military and civil defense use or even for friends and relatives. Actually there is no substitute for blood plasma, but certain macromolecular colloidal solutions possessing some of the physical properties of plasma are capable of maintaining the circulating blood volume by virtue of their oncotic pressure, which attracts interstitial fluids into the blood vascular system. The large molecular size prevents their rapid escape into the tissues or through the kidneys until the blood volume has been restored to normal. The term "plasma expander" is now used