SALT AND WATER IN THE TREATMENT OF DIABETIC ACIDOSIS

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Abstract
The effect, on the recovery from diabetic acidosis, of administering varying amounts of fluid, NaCl and NaHCO3 is discussed. Treatment with carbohydrate and insulin alone, or with the addition of water only is unsatisfactory. NaCl leads to rapid recovery, even though hyperchlqremia develops. The individual appears to retain chloride in high concentration until the base approaches normal. Chloride is then excreted in excess of base. Clinical improvement parallels the restoration of body fluid and total ionic concentrations rather than the replacement of individual ions.

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