FACTORS CONCERNED IN THE POLYCYTHEMIA PRODUCED BY THE SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION OF EPINEPHRINE

Abstract

The subcutaneous injection of epinephrine in doses of 1 mg. per kilo brings about a polycythemia, an increase in reticulocytes, and an increase in young forms of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The polycythemia is no doubt in part a concentration phenomenon, but the presence of these young cells in increasing numbers is believed to be evidence that there is at the same time a discharge of cells from the blood-forming organs, due to the effect of the drug upon them. A similar effect is obtained by continued stimulation of the peripheral ends of the cut sciatic nerves in the curarized animal.