162 



FRANKLIN C. McLEAN 



TABLE III 



NON-PROTEIN CONSTITUENTS OF EDEMA FLUIDS 

 (Denis and Minot) 



shjown that urea diffuses uniformly through the fluids of the body. An 



active interchange of these substances between the blood and the edematous 



fluids seems to be a constant phenomenon, as it is between the blood and 



^normal lymph, since the non-protein nitrogenous constituents are present 



c- in the lymph in about the same concentration as in the blood plasma. 



Sugar is found in edema fluids, in amounts equal to those in the blood 

 (Hegler and Schumm). In certain cases, however, particularly in ascitic 

 fluids, it may be found in amounts in excess of the blood content. Sittig 

 has found both glucose and levulose in a number of cases. Sugar is also 

 found in normal lymph in about the same concentration as in the blood 

 plasma. 



The total molecular concentration, as measured by the freezing point 

 method, and the concentration of electrolysis, as evidenced by the electrical 

 conductivity, have been studied by numerous authors. In general, the 

 depression of the freezing point approximates very closely that of the 

 blood serum of the same individual, as will be seen from the results 

 obtained by Javal (Table IV). The data obtained by determining the 

 freezing point indicate an approximate osmotic equilibrium between the 

 blood and the edema fluid. The depression of the freezing point, both for 

 blood serum and for edema fluid, is usually within normal limits, 

 except in cases in which the content of non-protein substances, such as urea, 

 is increased. 



The chlorid content, the conductivity, and the freezing point have been 

 studied by Baylac and by Boden (Tables V and VI). The chlorid content 

 varies considerably in its relation to that of the blood serum, and may be 



