Evening star., 1935-11-12
STARS, MEN AND ATOMS
Notebook of Science Progress in Field,
Laboratory and Study.
RY THOMAS r. HENRY
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

The chemistry of fear-the changes
in the chemical composition Of blood
after an emotional Shocks the subject
of an intensive study carried out at
Walter Reed Hospital here under the
auspices of the psychological depart
ment of Catholic University.
The study was made by DR.. Frank B.
Wakeman Of the Army Medical Corps,
with patients at the Army hospital serv-
ing unconSciously as the subjects. The
object was to determine just what
changes took place after one of these
patients was informed that he shortly
was to undergo a major operation.
The value of the findings rests partly
in the standardized situation. Sixty
four subjects were used, all veterans,
soldiers or members of the c. c. c.
All were suffering from the same con-
dition-uncomplicated hernia-in which
there was no infection in the blood
stream which might complicate the
chemical reactions.
First. DR.. Wakeman obtained blood
samples two or three days before the
patients knew what was to happen to
them. Each was told the evening before
that he was to be operated upon the
next morning. The second sample OF
blood was taken just before the men
went on the operating table. Then the
chemistry of the two samples was COM
pared. 1t was assumed that the mental
anticipation and a certain degree OF
anxiety and apprehension during the
wait would have marked effects whlch
could be detected in the blood COM
position. Most of the patients. says Or.
Wakeman, were boys undergoing their
first hospital experience, and many were
alone so far as relatives or close friends
were concerned None knew the purpose
of the investigation nor that anything
other than routine procedures was under
way. Moreover, they passed the time
of increased anxiety in a standardized
condition, so far as diet and activity
were concerned. Thus there was moth
ing except the emotion to complicate
the blood finding.
In every case DR.. Wakeman found
essentially the same differences. There
was a notable increase in both the blood
sugar and the Tactic acid in the blood.
In the first case the average jumped
from SO to 81 milligrams per 100 cubic
centimeters. In the case OF Tactic aclo
it increased from 20 to % milligrams.
Thus, he holds, the blood content OF
both these substances seems to be fairly
reliable evidence of emotional conditions.
Almost as significant, however, were the
negative findings. There was practically
no change in oxygen, carbon dioxide,
hemoglobin or hydrogen ion concentra-
ton in the blood stream. Had these
been present it might have been assumed
that they were primary effects, giving
rise in turn to the blood sugar and Tactic
acid increases.
Primarily the cause Of the chemical
changes, DIR. Wakeman holds, is an in
creased outpouring of adrenalin into the
blood stream from the adrenal glands.
Such a discharge, he says, is an impor-
tant element in the adaptation OF the
individual to environmental stress. ana
enables one to react for the preserva-
ton of life, either by flight or by taking
the offensive.
But, he points out, the blood sugar
increase does not result directly from
the adrenalin, but from its effects on
muscular and other tissue. The same
effect takes place when the sympathetic
nervous system. long considered by many