Hydrogen- Ion Concentration. 267 



prostration ensue. This is particularly true in individuals whose 

 blood supply is impaired in either quantity or quality. 



Since distilled water is the solvent used in most intravenous 

 medication we have studied it with care under the conditions 

 which it is commonly produced in hospitals - and laboratories. 

 Rochester tap water has a P H of 8.29. Boiling was found to 

 increase this slightly. Various samples of stock distilled water 

 varied from P H 6.89 to P H 5.05. Distilled water becomes acid 

 even when the distillation is in progress from the absorption of 

 carbonic acid of the atmosphere when the ordinary type of metal 

 or glass still is used. 



Tap water, P H 8.27; first distillate (first 10 c.c.) P H 7.30; after 

 200 c.c. had been distilled P H 6.90. When stored in container, 

 whether sealed with a cotton plug, cork or glass stopper, dis- 

 tilled water becomes quite acid. Example: freshly distilled 

 water has a P H 6.8, after 48 hours, P H 5.23. Proximity to bottles 

 containing fuming HC1 or NH 4 OH made no appreciable difference. 



The stock glucose solutions of the hospital prepared from stock 

 distilled water and so-called chemically pure glucose were found 

 to have a P H of less than 5. Three well-known brands of glucose 

 were tested. Boiling, autoclaving and storing for 24 hours all 

 cause glucose to rapidly become acid. Fresh unheated, 10 per 

 cent, glucose, P H 6.20; after boiling 10 minutes, P H 547; after 

 boiling 20 minutes, P H 5.17; after boiling 30 minutes P H 5. A 

 fresh unheated solution ranged in P H from 6.2 to 4.15 after stand- 

 ing 48 hours. 



Glucose solutions were buffered with the salts of mono- and 

 di-potassium phosphates so as to give a concentration approximat- 

 ing that of the blood. They have been used repeatedly in the 

 hospital without producing reactions. The method of buffering 

 was devised and materials provided by Dr. E. A. Slagle and S. F. 

 Acree. Buffering must be done after sterilization since the latter 

 precipitates out the buffer substances. 



The normal salt solutions of the hospital were found to be 

 very acid ranging from P H 6.4 to P H 4.95. This was due in part to 

 the use of stock distilled water. One well-advertised brand of 

 normal salt solution put up in ampoule form had a P H 4.95. This 

 high concentration in normal salt solution was found to be due in 



