STUDIES OF SERUM ELECTROLYTES

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Abstract
The total base and protein components of the serum have been studied before and after the crisis in patients suffering with lobar pneumonia. The Na concentration in the serum was decreased in all cases studied before and for a considerable period after the crisis. The decreased concentration of Na was approximately equal to the decreased concentration of total base. The K concentration in the serum was increased in over 1/2 the determinations made before the crisis. This increase tended to persist after the crisis. The Ca values were generally decreased during the febrile period. Mg values were scattered about the normal range throughout the period of infection. The albumin concentration in the serum was diminished not only during the period of active infection but also during convalescence. The globulin fraction was usually increased, so that the total protein tended to remain within the normal or lower normal limits. Base bound by protein was usually decreased during the febrile period. From studies of 14 gastric analyses on 4 patients suffering with lobar pneumonia it was noted that: (1) The gastric acidity tended to be lowered until after the crisis. (2) When lowered it was generally increased by histamine stimulation. (3) There was no apparent correlation of either total base or chloride of the serum with the gastric acidity.

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