THE EFFECTS OF LARGE INTRAVENOUS INFUSIONS ON BODY FLUID 1

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Abstract
Ten fasting patients making uneventful convalescence from elective surgical operations under ether anesthesia were used in a study of the effects of large intravenous infusions. 5% glucose soln. and 0.9% NaCl soln. were used in the study and were given by constant drip over a period of several days. Sharply different effects were observed to follow infusion of the 2 solns. as illustrated by data from 3 cases. The 5% glucose soln. produced immediate diuresis, with little change in plasma electrolyte and protein concs., and no increase in body wt. The saline infusions, however, resulted in increase in body wt. and reduction of plasma protein conc. Extracellular fluid volume, as detd. by the thiocyanate method, and plasma vol. increased in the patients receiving saline infusions, but much less so or not at all when 5% glucose soln. was given. Total circulating plasma protein was greatly augmented by saline infusion. One patient receiving a large amt. of 5% glucose soln. showed signs of water intoxication, from which recovery was rapid after cessation of the infusion. This unusual reaction appeared to result from delay in the excretion of water and failure of the kidney to retain Na ion.