430 



Scientific Proceedings (132) 



In general the curves parallel in a general way those obtained 

 for the viability of bacteria in water, so far as the general in- 

 fluence of electrolytes is concerned except that here antagonism 

 occurs in a more acid zone. They also correspond well to the 

 observation of Falk and Shaughnessy 1 on the buffering power 

 of suspensions of bacterial cells, particularly in the demonstra- 

 tion of a second alkaline isoelectric point. In general it appears 

 that within the zone of hydrogen ion concentration which favors 

 the viability of bacteria in water the bacterial cell exerts a high 

 buffering power and maintains a normal electrical charge. In 

 more acid or more alkaline solutions, or in solution of favorable 

 reaction but in the presence of sodium and calcium salts in toxic 

 concentration, the buffering power fails, the electrophoretic 

 charge is reduced, and the bacteria die. 



213 (2173) 



The role of phosphate and potassium in carbohydrate metabolism 

 following insulin administration. 



By GEORGE A. HARROP, JR., and E. M. BENEDICT. 



[From the Department of Medicine of The College of Physicians 

 and Surgeons, Columbia University, and the Presbyterian 

 Hospital, New York City.] 



Following the administration of large doses of insulin to sev- 

 eral diabetics, to two patients with diabetic coma, to a normal 

 fasting individual, to a fasting dog, and to fasting rabbits, and 

 coincident with the drop in the blood sugar which regularly oc- 

 curs, a marked drop has been noted in the concentration of inor- 

 ganic blood serum phosphate and serum potassium. A sharp 

 drop in the urinary output of phosphorus and of potassium ac- 

 companies the drop in the blood serum concentration, and is later 

 followed (3-12 hours) by a well marked compensatory increase 

 in the urinary excretion of these substances, so that the total 

 excretion over daily periods is not much altered. 



i Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol, and Med., 1923, xx, 426. 



