Abstract: A method of treating insufficiencies in hematosis, such as hypoxemia, cardiac insufficiency, and polyglobulia, involving treatment of a patient suffering from such insufficiency with the compound almitrine or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof in extremely low daily dosages, between 0.5 and 3 mg/kg orally or 0.05 to 0.3 mg/kg intravenously, an oral unit dosage form of the said active ingredient, containing between 20 and 70 mg of active ingredient together with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or diluent, preferably about 50 mg of the active ingredient.