Respiration and Paralysis as They Relate to Magnesium-Potassium Antagonism

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Abstract
Parenteral admn. of Mg salts caused a drop in serum K, development of flaccid paralysis accompanied by respiratory distress, and death due to respiratory failure in dogs. 31 expts. were performed on 17 dogs in which paralysis was produced by parenteral injn. of 0.15-0.38 (avg. 0.27) mg./kg. of Mg salts (MgSO4 or MgCL2 6H2O). Because of the extreme rapidity with which the Mg effects wear off, it was necessary to test the K effect by giving it along with the Mg. Consequently, KC1 was injd. along with the 10% aqueous soln. of MgSO4 at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9% levels. At less than 5% the effect was questionable and at 5% it was just discernible. At 7 and 9% the undesirable effects were almost completely antagonized, and while the paralysis persisted, it was distinctly less severe at each dose level of Mg. The characteristic respiratory changes observed resemble very closely those seen in dogs and chickens depleted of K by dietary means and in patients suffering from conditions associated with K lack, such as periodic paralysis, prolonged diarrhea and recovery from diabetic coma.

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