A rapid test of liver morphology and function

For the rapid and simultaneous determination of several vitally important parameters of the state of liver tissue the vital dye neutral red was injected into the portal vein. The morphological state of the tissue, the adsorptive power of the liver cells, the efficiency of the microcirculation of the blood, and the pH shift were determined in histological sections cut from part of the piece of liver taken for investigation. From the other part of the piece of liver tissue the dye was extracted and the total quantity of dye adsorbed was determined.