Glucuronic Acid Determination. 



29 



The experiments here reported were carried out as follows: 

 The glucuronic acid excreted during one or two 24-hour periods 

 was determined and used as a normal. According to Tollens, 

 the variations in the daily quantities of glucuronic acid are very 

 slight, if the diet is uniform. 



From 2 to 5 gm. of commercial camphor dissolved in olive oil 

 were given subcutaneously and the camphor-glucuronic acid 

 excretion in the urine determined for three to four 24-hour periods. 

 The duodenum was then obstructed by cross section and infolding 

 at a point just aboral to the greater pancreatic duct. From 12 to 

 24 hours after obstruction, determined by the first indication of 

 marked clinical symptoms, the same dose of camphor was again 

 given and the camphor-glucuronic output determined in 24-hour 

 periods until death ensued. 



Including a report made by Draper (4) on one dog, we have 

 completed experiments on three dogs. The results, expressed in 

 per cent, of recovered camphor-glucuronic acid, are as follows: 

 From Dog No 30, before obstruction, 41.76 per cent, of a theoret- 

 ical total was recovered. From Dog No. 124, 44.00 per cent., 

 and from Dog No. 128, 43.47 per cent. After obstruction, from 

 Dog No. 30 was recovered 27.19 per cent, of a theoretical 

 total; from Dog No. 124, 19.29 per cent, and from Dog No. 128, 

 18.05 per cent. Somewhat less than one half the camphor given 

 during the normal period was recovered in the urine as camphor- 

 glucuronic acid. What becomes of the balance is a matter of 

 conjecture. The results obtained by Schlutz (5) in an earlier 

 study differ from the above but this can probably be accounted for 

 by the inferiority and uncertainty of the polarimetric method. 

 This was at the time considered the method of choice. 



The histological examination of the livers, hearts, spleens and 

 kidneys of the animals cited in this report was negative except for 

 a moderate capillary dilatation in a few of the sections. The 

 nitrogen metabolism remained unchanged in Nos. 30 and 124. 

 It was not determined in No. 128. 



The above results from their uniformity suggest accuracy for 

 the method so far as it goes and the marked decrease after opera- 

 tion implies possible diminution of certain liver functions after 

 duodenal obstruction. 



