A STUDY OF SOME OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SULFANILAMIDE. I. CHANGES IN THE ACID BASE BALANCE

Abstract

Very promptly following the administration of moderately large doses of sulfanilamide to normal and sick human subjects, there occur hyperpnea and rise in plasma pH, to be followed promptly by excretion of alkali into the urine and reduction of plasma bicarbonate. The early effect, then, is the production of a CO2 deficit type of alkalosis, and not acidosis. Later, because of the apparently compensatory reduction of plasma bicarbonate, total fixed base deficiency may occur which may facilitate the development of acidosis by contributing factors.