The adrenal cortex in restraint hypothermia and in adaptation to the stress of restraint

The role of the adrenal cortex in restraint-induced hypothermia and in adaptation to the stress of restraint was investigated.

There was an increase in ascorbic acid and a less marked increase in the cholesterol content of the adrenals accompanying 1 week's exposure to the stress of light restraint to produce adaptation, as well as a decrease in the adrenal ascorbic acid and cholesterol levels accompanying restraintinduced hypothermia, but changes in adrenocortical activity were probably not of sufficient magnitude to account for either the increased thermostability after the adaptive procedure or the thermolability of the animals exposed to the short-term stress.

It was also demonstrated that after a 7-day exposure to light restraint (to produce adaptation), adrenalectomized animals, maintained with isotonic salt solution or DCA, could not maintain a normal body temperature when restrained in the cold. Cortisone, whether administered alone or with DCA, permitted these adrenalectomized, adapted animals to maintain essentially normal body temperatures when exposed to restraint in the cold, indicating that adaptation had occurred.

Implications of surface temperatures in the diagnosis of breast cancer

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Acute perforated appendicitis in childhood; analysis of management, including the use of hypothermia

From an analysis of a recent series of 99 cases of acute perforated appendicitis in childhood several conclusions appeared valid.1. The majority of infants and young children with acute perforated appendicitis do not exhibit the signs of localization of peritoneal irritation so characteristically seen in older children and adults. Hence if a history compatible with acute perforated appendicitis is present and there is evidence of peritoneal irritation on repeated examinations, patients of this age group may be assumed to have the disease and should be prepared and operated upon with minimal delay. Early operation after a maximum of several hours of preparation with parenteral hydration, nasogastric suction and antibiotics is the treatment of choice.2. In nine patients in the present series with temperature and rapid pulse that did not fall to safe levels with the usual preoperative preparation, mild hypothermia appeared to reduce the risk of anesthesia and operation.3. The use of intraperitoneal drains in children with acute perforated appendicitis is associated with a definite reduction in the incidence of postoperative intraperitoneal abscesses and with a probable reduction in the number of serious wound infections.