Sludged Blood, Human Disease and Chemotherapy

Abstract

The fluidity of the blood can be reduced during the course of some human diseases and this change in the fluidity has been described under the generic name of “Sludged Blood” (e.g. Knisely and Bloch, 1942; Knisely et.al., 1947; Bloch, 1956). The potential consequences of such pathology for structures and functions have been demonstrated in experimental animals. It was found that sludged blood could produce thrombosis and infarction resulting in tissue degeneration or necrosis as well as producing symptoms (e.g. muscle pain)(e.g. Knisely et.al., 1945; Bloch, 1953; Gelin, 1956; Fajers and Gelin, 1959; Stalker, 1967; Bicher and Beemer, 1967). Such pathology could be prevented or ameliorated by de-sludging the blood (e.g. Knisely et.al., 1945; Gelin, 1956; Zederfelt, 1965; Bicher, 1972). The need for specific chemotherapy for de-sludging is essentially restricted to those diseases where no specific effective therapy against the etiological agent exists because when effective therapy is instituted it destroys the etiological agent and the blood is de-sludged.