Composition of Human Saliva, Parotid Gland Secretory Rate, and Electrolyte Concentration in Mentally Subnormal Persons

Abstract
The parotid gland secretory rate and the electrolyte concentration were determined in 28 mongoloid and 32 non-mongoloid mentally subnormal persons. Parotid saliva was collected using a metal vacuum cap placed over Stensens duct. The stimulatory agent (2.0% citric acid solution) was applied to the tongue at a rate of 4 swabs/perminute. The mongoloid group had a significantly higher pH and Na, Ca and bicarbonate values. The secretion rates, K, chloride and P levels were not statistically different for the 2 groups. The altered electrolyte composition in the parotid saliva may account (in part)for the low caries activity in mongolism.

This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit: