Mechanism of death at high temperatures in Helix and Patella

In Patella vulgata and Helix aspersa which had been killed by exposure to high temperatuers, the rates of oxygen consumption of gill, foot muscle and hepatopancreas are remarkably steady when measured at lower temperatures, although the absolute levels are in some cases different from normal animals. These tissues are thus substantially metabolically intact in heat dead individuals. In Helix there is a fall in blood sodium and a rise in blood potassium during heat death. In Patella there is a marked rie in blood Na⁺ and a consequent disturbance of the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio. These ionic disturbances are thought to be a prime cause of heat death. The significance of the results is discussed.