XI.—InFLUENCE oF PorassittumM anp Ammontum BromiIpEs oN 
Merasorisms By R. H. Cuirrenpren anp W. L. CuLpert, 
Pu.B. 
As a question in the physiology of nutrition, it is very desirable to 
be able to state something definite regarding the influence of bro- 
mides upon the metabolism of the body; particularly their influence 
upon the metabolism of proteid matter, as shown in the excretion 
of urea and uric acid, and in view of their special application as 
therapeutic agents in diseases of the nervous system, their influence 
also on the decomposition of nerve substance, as shown in the excre- 
tion of phosphoric acid. Two complete investigations appear to 
have been made upon this subject; one in 1868 by Dr. J. H. Bill,* 
and one in 1883, by Dr. B. Schulze,} the results of which are more or 
less in direct opposition to each other. We have also seen a refer- 
ence to two other investigations, quoted by Dr. Wood,{ in which 
Dr. Rabuteau found the daily excretion of urea slightly lessened 
under the influence of bromide, as did also Dr. Bartholow. 
Dr. Bill’s investigation, which was a very thorough one, had for 
one of its objects to ascertain whether bromides reduce the amount 
of phosphoric acid excreted, like such known hypnotics as morphine ; 
at the same time careful examination was made of the variations in 
urea and uric acid under the different conditions of the experiments. 
The experiments were all conducted on one person with a body 
weight of 160 pounds, which remained fairly constant throughout. 
The experiments were made in series under known conditions with 
uniformity of habits, diet, etc. Unfortunately, however, no data are 
given regarding the nature of the diet, the closeness with which it 
was adhered to, or whether the body was kept ina state of nitro- 
genous equilibrium. Each series of experiments, moreover, covers at 
the most, but six days; three days without bromide and three days 
with, consequently slight variations might easily be absorbed in an 
average of three results. The urea in Dr. Bill’s work was deter- 
* Amer. Jour. med. Sciences, July, 1868. Experimental Researches into the action 
and Therapeutic value of Bromide of Potassium. 
+ Zeitschrift fir Biologie, vol. xix, p. 301. Einfluss des Bromkalium auf den Stoff- 
wechsel. 
} Therapeutics, p. 337. 
Trans. Conn. Acapd., Vou. VII. 20 Noy., 1885. 
