Each year approximately 60,000 people die from hemorrhagic
shock in the U.S.A. with about two million deaths worldwide [1].
Deaths from traumatic shock, worldwide, has been difficult to
estimate, due to battles/wars in many countries, but is thought to
be more than two million victims/year [1]. Many reasons for these
large numbers of deaths are known [for review, see1], for example,
inadequate therapeutic measures, unavailability of adequate blood/
plasma/fluid replacement, seeing the patient too late, and
unavailability of trained ER personnel, among the major reasons
[for recent review, see1]. Another predominant reason for large
numbers of hemorrhagic and traumatic shock deaths is the risk of
sepsis in many of these victims, resulting in septic shock having
mortalities in excess of 40- 75%, depending upon locality, with the
lower numbers in the U.S.A. Lastly, and most important is “natural
resistance of the body to infectious microorganisms” (i.e, bacteria,
funguses, viruses, parasitic organisms, etc.). What is responsible
for “natural resistance” has been studied for more than 150 years.
We know that the “innate” and “adaptive” immune systems are
key elements in defense against infectious microorganisms [2, 3].
But, which elements of these systems make-up major aspects of
“resistance” and “host defense” still remains to be worked out.
Using starfish, more than 140 years ago, the pioneer/father of
immunology, and Nobel Laureate, Elie Metchnikoff, believed that
white blood cells and macrophages were key to host-defense [4].
He also believed the body develops molecules/substances, which
are key to resistance to infectious microorganisms [4].
TRAUMATIC SHOCK. IX. PRESSOR THERAPY: THE EFFECT OF PAREDRINE (p-Hydroxy-a-Methylphenylethylamine Hydrobromide) ON THE CIRCULATION IN HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK IN DOGS 12