Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory InvestigationsUniversity of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
History
Studies on Epidemic Influenza: Comprising Clinical and Laboratory Investigations
University of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine
Influenza; Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919
_Spectroscopic Studies._—Sera obtained from 20 post-mortem bloods were
examined spectroscopically. In eight an absorption band in the red was
observed. In some instances such a band was observed in blood obtained
shortly after death and before coagulation had occurred, while other
similar bloods, as well as bloods obtained at longer intervals after
death, exhibited no such band. A similar band was observed in one case
from blood obtained from a patient about 12 hours before death from
pneumonia following influenza. Medication was not a causative factor. To
ammonium sulphide the band in the red reacted as methemoglobin and the
position (as estimated by Dr. Menten) corresponded with methemoglobin.
Oxyhemoglobin bands in such bloods occupied normal positions as
determined by Dr. Menten. On diluting such bloods with water no
abnormality in character or position bands was observed, save in one
instance (No. 778 below). This does not, however, disprove the
possibility of such abnormality in the hemoglobin within the cells, for
moderate dilution only of serum rendered the band in the red invisible,
presumably by dilution.
Detailed examination of the absorption bands was made with a direct
reading wave-length Hilger Spectroscope (which was calibrated by
line spectra derived from salts added to an alcohol flame) by Dr.
Menten. This spectroscope had an accuracy of about two Angstroms. In
all, seven post-mortem bloods were examined, viz. autopsy numbers
756, 761, 763, 773, 778, 784, and 787. In five of these, sufficient
serum was obtained to make readings. All gave the two characteristic
oxyhemoglobin bands in the blue-green with centers of the bands at λ
758μμ λ and 542μμ. The second oxyhemoglobin band varied slightly in
width in the different samples. In addition to the two oxyhemoglobin
bands in each of four of the above sera, viz: Nos. 756, 763, 767 and
787, an absorption band in the red was found with the center of the
band as follows: Number 756 at λ 627μμ, number 761 at λ 634μμ,
number 763 at λ 625μμ, and number 787 at λ 634μμ. These bands varied
considerably in intensity and could only be identified when the two
oxyhemoglobin bands were merged and appeared as one broad band. As
controls for the position of the oxyhemoglobin bands two normal
bands were examined, which showed two bands with centers also at λ
758μμ and λ 543μμ. For comparison of the methemoglobin bands of the
above post-mortem bloods, a sample of this hemoglobin compound was
made by adding potassium ferricyanide to normal blood until the
solution became brownish in color. The center of this methemoglobin
band was found at λ 634μμ. In blood from autopsies number 773 and
number 778 sufficient serum could not be obtained to make a reading.
To each of these bloods distilled water was added. The laked blood
of 778 gave a methemoglobin band with the center at λ 632μμ on
examination 24 hours after autopsy.
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