Infusions of hyperosmotic NaCl (2,400 mosmol/l; 4 ml/kg) were given to dogs in severe hemorrhagic hypotension by intravenous injection (72 expts) or intra-aortic injection (25 expts). In 46 experiments intravenous infusions were given during bilateral blockage of the cervical vagal trunks (local anesthesia or cooling). Intravenous infusions (without vagal blockade) restore arterial pressure, cardiac output, and acid-base equilibrium to normal and cause mesenteric flow to overshoot prehemorrhage levels by 50%. These effects are stable, and indefinite survival was observed in every case. Intra-aortic infusions of hyperosmotic NaCl produce only a transient recovery of arterial pressure and cardiac output but no long-term survival. Intravenous infusions with vagal blockage produce only a transient recovery of cardiac output, with non long-term survival. Measurement of pulmonary artery blood osmolarity during and after the infusions shows that a different pattern is observed in each of these three groups and strongly indicates that the first passage of hyperosmotic blood through the pulmonary circulation at a time when vagal conduction is unimpaired is essential for the production of the full hemodynamic-metabolic response, which is needed for indefinite survival.