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Society Proceedings (122). 



part to the salt but chiefly to the acid distilled water. A salt 

 solution to be normal physiologically, should contain that amount 

 of salt which will make it isotonic with the blood. It should 

 also have the same hydrogen-ion concentration. 



One specimen of sodium citrate solution used in a transfusion 

 where a violent reaction followed, had a P H of 10.25. We have 

 had no reactions in seven transfusions with the citrate method 

 since we have buffered the citrate solutions. Several specimens of 

 phenolsulphonephthalein, the intravenous and intramuscular use 

 of which was followed by reactions, had a P H 5.0. We have had 

 no reactions since with phthalein solutions properly buffered. 

 We have observed also in a series of twelve cases tested with a 

 dye having a concentration of P H 5.0 and later with a dye with 

 a P H 6.95 that from 10 to 40 per cent, more of the properly buf- 

 fered dye is eliminated in two hours than is the acid type in the 

 same time. We believe that the hydrogen-ion concentration of 

 chemicals or drugs is an important feature in their absorption and 

 elimination both when injected or applied to mucous membranes 

 of the human body. 



Several preparations of salvarsan, when prepared according to 

 the directions of the manufacturers, ranged in P H from 11.53 to 

 11.99. Silber-salvarsan, P H 10.71; Neo-salvarsan, P H 8.15 to 9.22. 



A long list of sera, vaccines, and antitoxins prepared by the 

 New York State Department of Health approximated the P H of 

 the blood except tetanus antitoxin which had a P H 8.60 and anti- 

 pneumococcus serum, type I, P H 8.10. Triple pneumococcus 

 vaccine, U. S. Army Medical School, P H 8.95. These might be 

 sufficiently alkaline to produce local reactions. 



All of the common drugs used for hypodermatic medication, 

 both in tablet and ampoule form, were tested. Liquid digitalis 

 and strophanthus preparations were found to have a high con- 

 centration, as were preparations made from the pituitary body 

 and suprarenal bodies. Novocaine becomes acid on standing. 

 We found much of the medication sold in ampoule form much 

 more acid than the body tissues or fluids. We believe this to 

 be the main cause of sore arms after the subcutaneous injections 

 of such drugs. 



