Gunshot wounds caused by modern firearms in the light of our investigations.

The experiment was carried out on 27 sheep with traumatic-haemorrhagic shock caused by a gunshot wound produced using high-velocity missiles from the HM16 rifle. Sixty minutes after injury treatment with blood-replacing fluids was started. In Group I Ringer's solution with sodium lactate pH 8.2 was infused, Group II received Ringer's solution with sodium lactate pH 6.5, and Group III was given Ringer's solution alone. Volume of the infused fluid exceeded threefold the volume of lost blood. During and after fluid replacement blood samples were drawn for biochemical investigations and haemodynamic disturbances were carefully observed. In conclusion, we can say that Ringer's solution filled the vascular bed and improved tissue perfusion, but it failed to correct metabolic and acid-base equilibrium disturbances to such a degree and for as long a long time as did Ringer's solution with lactate.