208 



Scientific Proceedings (121). 



in cases of oxalic-acid poisoning with creatinine over 5 mg. may 

 be that the kidney changes are temporary. The alkaline reserve 

 was below normal throughout the retention period. This evidently 

 indicates that in poisoning by oxalic acid the oxidation processes 

 are subnormal. On the twenty-eighth day all values were back 

 to normal. 



The urine output during the first few days was much sup- 

 pressed; the amount voided per day was 30 to 50 c.c. On about 

 the twelfth day, the urine output suddenly increased to 1,900 to 

 2,200 c.c. It contained little albumin, few hyaline and granular 

 casts, a reducing substance which did not ferment, together with 

 red blood cells, white blood cells and an increased amount of 

 oxalates. 



In view of the fact that over 4 grams of oxalic acid had been 

 taken and that treatment was delayed (in fact, no antidote was 

 given at all), it is interesting to note that recovery occurred. 

 The most plausible explanation for this is the simultaneous taking 

 of magnesium sulphate, which probably hastened the elimination 

 of the poison. 



About one month later the patient returned to the hospital 

 complaining of gnawing pain in the epigastric region. This pain 

 usually started a half hour after meals and continued until the 

 next meal. It was aggravated by any kind of food, more so by 

 hot food. He had eructations that were sour in character, was 

 constipated, but not anureous. Fluoroscopic examination showed 

 no ulcer or new growth. The x-ray plates showed a calcareous 

 area in the region of the gall-bladder. This condition is evidently 

 a direct result of the corrosive action of the oxalic acid on the 

 mucous membrane of the stomach. 



