ALKALOSIS COMPLICATING THE SIPPY TREATMENT OF PEPTIC ULCER

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken in an effort to clarify further the problem of alkalosis and also to evaluate its relation to the kidney. For this purpose, an analysis has been made of 135 episodes of alkalosis observed by us during the alkali treatment of peptic ulcer. The study is of special interest in that in some cases renal function, as measured by the urea clearance test, was determined before, during and after the alkalosis. METHOD Between 1929 and 1939 approximately 1,350 patients with peptic ulcer were treated at the Albert Merritt Billings Hospital by the Sippy program. This regimen included the frequent use of milk and cream and soft foods, nightly aspiration of the gastric contents and the hourly administration of alkali. The combinations of alkali used were (1) 0.6 Gm. of calcium carbonate and 2.0 Gm. of sodium bicarbonate, (2) 1.2 Gm. of calcium carbonate and 2.0 Gm.