[Toxic properties of rat serum following burns]

The toxic properties of serum were studied in rats with thermal burns by bioassays (in hemocultures) and in mice with the blocked reticuloendothelial system. Both methods have proved the biphasic character of the serum toxic effect time course in burnt animals. The first phase of toxemia was observed during the first 24 h and the second one days 5-7 after the burn. A mechanism of the phenomenon seen is suggested. The data obtained by the two different methods are comparable. This indicates the identity of the substances that produce the toxic action on the hemocultures and on the mice with the blocked reticuloendothelial system. Both methods can be recommended for testing toxemia in burns.