Abstract
Hypertonicity of body fluids was induced in 23 rabbits by the intravenous injection of solutions of sodium chloride, sodium chloride and bicarbonate, sucrose, or urea at concentrations of about 2,000 mOsm/l. The results obtained suggest that (1) hypertonicity of body fluids can cause disturbances in cellular metabolism, resulting in the formation and release of large quantities of hydrogen ion and the development of severe extracellular metabolic acidosis; (2) with restoration of osmolality toward normal by rehydration, the acidosis is improved; and (3) there is no correlation between the values for plasma pH and the values for sodium and chlorides in plasma, total body water, extracellular and intracellular water, and blood volume.
- Copyright © 1962 by the American Academy of Pediatrics
