[Role of bacterial endotoxins in the tourniquet shock in rats].

By means of the lead acetate endotoxin sensitising method it was possible to demonstrate the development of endotoxaemia in tourniquet ischaemia of rats. The lethality of shock was greatly reduced by retreatment with radio-detoxified endotoxin (Tolerin). Prelinary liquidation of the Gram-negative enceroflora caused a similar reduction of lethality. On the basis of the results endotoxaemia of intestinal origin triggered by the vasoactive substances liberated during ischaemia and reaching the circulation are considered of importance in the pathogenesis of tourniquet shock.