IT HAS BEEN shown by other investigators that low molecular weight dextran increases cardiac output and limb blood flow. The present experiment was designed to compare the effect of intravenously administered low molecular weight dextran on hind limb blood flow and vascular resistance and on total peripheral resistance in a control series of dogs and in a group in which the cardiac output was kept constant. Methods and ResultsTwenty mongrel dogs weighing from 12.2 to 17.0 Kg. were anesthetized with 30 mg./Kg. sodium pentobarbital intravenously. Three mg./Kg. of body weight of Heparin were given intravenously. In 10 dogs, direct measurement of limb blood flow was determined by a method which involved cannulating the femoral vein, allowing the blood to drain into a calibrated burette, and returning the blood to a jugu-

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