A RAPID CLINICAL TEST FOR HYPERGLYCEMIA 



S. GITLOW AND B. HOROWITZ 

 (Biochemical Laboratory, Fordham University Medical School, New York City) 



The purpose of this investigation was to devise a rapid clinical 

 method for the detection of hyperglycemia — a method which could 

 be applied by the practising physician as readily as he appHes Fehl- 

 ing's. As it was desirable to make the test apphcable to very small 

 quantities of blood, a dehcate colorimetric test for carbohydrate was 

 considered. The one selected was Mohsch's. 



As we were desirous of estabHshing a definite relatioiiship be- 

 tween concentration and intensity of coloration, the usual method 

 of carrying out the Mohsch test, namely, by ring formation, was 

 ignored ; instead, coloration of the Solution after mixing the reagents 

 was alone considered. 



The difficulties at the outset were those of getting controls that 

 would show no coloration. In spite of an exhaustive examination 

 into the purity of the reagents employed (sulfuric acid, water, 

 a-naphthol, and alcohol) and attempts to Substitute other reagents, 

 such as thymol for a-naphthol and Chloroform for alcohol, the re- 

 sults were not very satisfactory. Particular attention was paid to 

 the cleanliness of the test tubes employed. 



Other workers in the field have also experienced difficulties of 

 this nature. Oppenheimer advises the use of a colorless saturated 

 Solution of a-naphthol, which means that f resh Solutions would have 

 to be prepared repeatedly. In our own experience this was not 

 found to offer any particular advantage. Udranzky emphasizes the 

 importance of clean test tubes, and the advisability of purifying the 

 alcohol with animal charcoal before use. Dust particles he found 

 especially troublesome. With the exception of purification of the 

 alcohol, these directions are important. Luther's Observation that 

 Chloroform is an effective Substitute for alcohol is not in accordance 

 with our own findings. 



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