The viscosity of water and of blood in small diameter capillary tubes¹

Subtitle: Anomalous viscosity of blood

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Halikas, G.^{; *} | Sheppard, C.W.^{; *}

Affiliations: Cerebrovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology and Biophysics University of Tennessee Medical Units 62 So. Dunlap, Memphis, Tennessee, 38103

Note: [1] This work was supported by Research Grants GM 352-05 and 06, NB 05651 and HE-09495 of the National Institutes of Health.

Note: [*] Present address: Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, College, Alaska 99701.

Abstract: The absolute viscosity of water and relative viscosity of blood were measured by the transpiration method using 15 viscometers of different radii and lengths. Contrary to a recent investigation, there was no evidence that the viscosity of water is anomalous. The absolute, viscosity of water obtained was within 0.4 per cent of the published value at 38°C. Canine blood, on the other hand displayed a decrease in relative viscosity with decreasing capillary diameter, confirming the Fahraeus-Lindqvist effect.

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1969-6208

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 137-142, 1969