THE ROSE BENGAL TEST FOR LIVER FUNCTION

Abstract
In a previous paper we1suggested the use of rose bengal as a test for total liver function. Further observations have confirmed our earlier conclusions, and lead us to believe that, in rose bengal, we have a dye that has advantages over other dyes, so far studied, in estimating the gross functional capacity of the liver. The various tests that have been devised for the study of separate functions of the liver have been far from satisfactory. Among these should be included the levulose test for carbohydrate function; urobilinogen tests in the urine; fibrinogen tests of the blood; determinations of the lipolytic and fibrinolytic ferments of the blood; studies of the protein metabolism, and the hemoclastic test. Recent studies on the bile pigment metabolism suggest that estimations of the bile pigments in the blood serum may be of value when used alone or in conjunction with other tests. The