EFFECTS OF CERTAIN DRUGS AND POISONS 719 



said to increase the percentage of butter fat in cow's milk, but this is 

 not a dependable result (McCandlish). 



Carbohydrate Metabolism. Franck attributed "salt glycosuria" (dis- 

 cussed below) to polyuria, but other explanations are better supported 

 by the evidence. 



Mineral Metabolism. Chiari has suggested that since all cathartic 

 ions are antagonistic to calcium the action of the saline cathartics may be 

 explained by assuming that the calcium normally present keeps the intes- 

 tinal cells in a state of low permeability. 



The specific systemic effects of neither the magnesium ion of Epsom 

 salts nor the tartrate ion of Rochelle salts are seen after oral administra- 

 tion. For a discussion of these see under "Alkaline Earths" and "Salts 

 of Organic Acids," respectively. 



Other Cathartic Drugs. The effects upon the metabolism of those 

 cathartic drugs which act primarily by stimulation of peristalsis have never 

 been adequately investigated. 



Aloin. This drug was administered to mammals and birds by Berrar, 

 who observed a marked increase in the energy exchange accompanied by 

 a rise in temperature. The nitrogen excretion (especially urea in mammals 

 and uric acid in birds) was also augmented. 



Sodium Chlorid. Because of the high normal sodium chlorid con- 

 tent of the body (150-300 grams according to Magnus-Levy) and the 

 fairly delicate chlorid-regulating mechanism, a considerable salt intake 

 is required before effects upon the metabolism are noted. In general the 

 effects of sodium chlorid upon the metabolism are probably due rather to 

 osmosis than to specific ion actions. 



Mineral Metabolism. The skin acts as the chief of several chlorid 

 depots, storing or releasing salt according to need. 



Rosemann(e) found the entire chlorid content increased by 100 per 

 cent when dogs were given highly salted food. The chlorid threshold of the 

 plasma is said to be 5.62 grams per liter. According to MacLean if the 

 concentration falls below this level no chlorid is excreted; if it exceeds 

 it the excretion varies as the square of the excess. 



Holt, Courtney and Fales(c) have investigated in children the effects 

 upon the mineral metabolism of 200 c.c. injections, by hypodermoclysis, of 

 physiological saline. Salt and water are retained for several days. The 

 effects are most marked in conditions where salt and water, deficiency exist, 

 as in acute diarrhea, marasmus and protracted vomiting. The retention 

 is accompanied by much symptomatic improvement. The changes in 

 magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium metabolism were also 

 followed by Holt and his collaborators, but no uniformity could be de- 

 tected. A "balanced" salt solution (potassium and calcium chlorids being 

 added) gave results not differing from those of the sodium chlorid solu- 

 tion alone. 



