Abstract
Mucus from the large intestine may contain as much as 200 mEq/1 of K, and diseases associated with loss of mucus (villous tumors, obstruction, colitis and steatorrhea) may cause acute electrolyte depletion requiring K therapy. Other constituents were studied: neutral and dicarboxylic amino acids are present in quantity, but only traces of basic amino acids are found; sugars and amino-sugars from polysaccharide fractions are described; and 5% sialic acid was found in dried, dialysed mucus.