148 



DIASTATIC ACTIVITY IN BLOOD AND URINE. 



considerable variations in the diastatic activity stated in Wohlgemuth units 

 were met with. For example, variations 5-18, 9-22, 2-10, 2-6, 4-8, 12-24, 

 etc., were obtained in different individuals. 



The fewer the specimens, the less were the variations of the diastatic 

 activity of the different specimens. 



Conditions of polyuria induced by exitement, cold, drinking large quantities 

 of fluids gave more striking variations. In one case it was noted that during 

 excitement the diastatic activity of the urine fell from 20 to 1 in the course of 

 two or three hours. 



Stocks (1915-16) stated that it appeared that the concentration of diastase 

 was at a maximum just after breakfast (8 a.m.), and then decreased gradually 

 with a secondary rise after dinner. 



Table II gives some observations made by the present writer on hospital 

 patients who had breakfast at 7 a.m., dinner at 12 noon, tea at 4 p.m., supper 

 at 7 p.m. 



11 a.m. 



5 

 25 

 5 

 8 

 6 



The highest concentration of diastase in hospital patients who were not 

 suffering from renal disease, and who were confined to bed, was obtained in 

 the specimen of urine passed at 5 p.m. or in the overnight specimen passed 

 at 6 a.m. 



The observations in Table III were made on healthy young adults whose 

 ordinary daily routine was not altered in any way. 



Subject A. 



Diatastic activity of urine. 

 (Wohlgemuth units.) 



16-7 

 22-2 

 20 

 18-2 



16-7 

 20 



14-2 

 15-4 

 18-2 

 22-2 



Meal. 



Meal. 



Table III. — Breakfast 8 a.m. 



Time. 



8.45 a.m. 

 10.5 „ 

 11.40 „ 



1.10 p.m. 



4.40 „ 

 6.15 „ 



8.0 „ 

 9.5 „ 

 12 midnight 

 8.20 a.m. 



Subject B. 



Diastatic activity of urine. 

 (Wohlgemuth units.) 



14-3 

 22-2 

 20 



15-4 

 12-5 

 20 



18-2 

 25 



Meal. 



Time. 



8.45 a.m. 

 9.45 „ 

 1.25 p.m. 



3.45 

 4.30 

 5.40 



Meal. 



10.30 

 8.0 



a.m. 



