The Probert Encyclopaedia of Medicine

THE EFFECTS OF HAEMORRHAGE

Acute blood loss. The rapid loss of 500 ml or more of blood from the circulation is likely to produce collapse (fainting) and a picture which at first strikingly resembles neurogenic shock. The subject is cold and pale, shivering, restless and frightened. They may be unconscious. If the loss has occurred very suddenly the pulse is at first slow but later rises rapidly. If however the accumulation of blood within the body is producing pain, the pulse may remain slow for a longer period. On the other hand a smaller but nevertheless significant quantity of blood may be lost on several successive occasions, but on none of the occasions is the amount sufficient to produce collapse. Such bleeding occurs from growths or ulcers in the intestinal canal. The subject feels ill, rapidly becomes pale, complains of fatigue and has a fast pulse. If severe visible bleeding takes place, the amount of blood lost is very difficult to assess. Severe haemorrhage results in irreversible damage to the kidneys from oxygen deprivation, often resulting in
death. Anuria may occur, followed by uraemia.
Research The Effects of Haemorrhage