On the Viscosity of Human Blood Plasma and Serum in Health and Disease

Harkness, John (1952) On the Viscosity of Human Blood Plasma and Serum in Health and Disease. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

(1) The history of the development of the Plasma Viscosity Test from the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Test by Whittington and Miller, in tuberculosis, has been described. (2) The events leading up to my own interest in this test have also been related and how I have become the principal worker in the later developments of the test. (3) The physical property of ordinary liquids named "Viscosity" has been defined. (4) Fluids have been divided into "Newtonian" and "non-Newtonian"; the non-Newtonian liquids have only "apparent viscosities" as the corresponding physical property varies according to the conditions under which it is measured. (5) Plasma and serum are non-Newtonian liquids. (6) A technique for the accurate estimation of the viscosity of small volumes of plasmata has been given in detail. (A) Preclinical Part. (7) The potential errors of the technique have been discussed and have been shown to be less than 1 % theoretically and still less practically. (8) Venous stasis must be avoided during the venipuncture. (9) Significant errors can be introduced into the plasma viscosity estimation by centrifuging with un-capped tubes. Evidence is given for a marked degree of concentration of the plasma by such treatment; most measurements of the constituents of the plasma must be similarly affected. (10) A significant change can be caused in the plasma viscosity by a delay in the separation of the plasma from the erythrocytes, either before or after centrifuging. (11) The viscosity of a plasma is not affected by mechanical violence. (12) Neither is it affected by standing on a bench for five days with precautions taken only against loss by evaporation. (13) The viscosity of plasma decreases by approximately 2.35 % for each rise in temperature by one degree centigrade. (14) The viscosity of a plasma estimated at 20

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine
• Date of Award: 1952
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1952-78858
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2020 14:46
• Last Modified: 30 Jan 2020 14:46
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/78858