EDEMA 



167 



TABLE VII 



BLOOD SEBUM ANALYSES IN SODIUM BICARBONATE EDEMA 

 (Falta and Quittner) 



on both. The effect of salt feeding and salt restriction on edema was 

 observed by Widal, and independently by Strauss (</). Their observations 

 have since been amply confirmed. The favorable effect of limitation of 

 fluid intake, or the unfavorable effect of giving large amounts of fluid 

 was emphasized by Bartels(c). The degree to which edema is influenced 

 by fluid and salts varies widely in different cases. 



That the effect of fluid and salts on edema is due to their role in the 

 metabolism of the tissue cells should not be regarded as established. The 

 results of clinical observations have, in fact, usually been interpreted as 

 evidence to the fact that the renal excretory function, with respect to 

 these substances, is impaired. 



The administration of large doses of sodium bicarbonate, especially in 

 individuals who have already some disturbance in metabolism, is fre- 

 quently followed by generalized edema. This has frequently been observed 

 in diabetes, but has also been seen in individuals suffering from inanition, 

 or from the results of dietary deficiency, such as that responsible for war- 

 edema. Falta and Quittner have studied this condition and have found 

 that in young healthy adults the same regime which almost without excep- 

 tion causes edema in diabetics, causes no edema. In diabetics, with or 

 without acidosis, administration of large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, 

 together with a diet rich in salt, produced edema in the majority of cases. 

 In diabetes this edema could be prevented or caused to disappear by the 

 withdrawal of salt from the diet, and could usually be made to disappear 

 by the administration of such diuretics as diuretin. It was accompanied 

 by the retention of large amounts of salt, which later left the body rapidly 

 during the disappearance of edema. In these cases the chlorid content 

 of the serum was found to be diminished rather than increased (Tables 

 VII and VIII). The excretion of uric acid and urea was not influenced 

 by the course of the edema. Similar findings were obtained in cases of 

 war-edema. 



