CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF WATER INTOXICATION IN A CASE OF SEVERE DIABETES INSIPIDUS, WITH SOME NOTES ON THE DISTURBANCES OF BLOOD COMPOSITION AND VASOMOTOR MECHANISM*

Abstract

In a case secondary to epidemic encephalitis, a history of convulsions due to water intoxication was obtained. The patient had a compulsion type of thirst unaffected by pituitrin, and while under observation presented clinical and laboratory evidences of water intoxication, the latter similar to those in laboratory animals (reduction of serum proteins, blood chlorides, and blood Na). A disturbance of heat regulation was also noted, the patient counterbalancing the "heat debt" from drinking large amounts of ice water by an increased food intake, muscular movements, and a peripheral vasoconstriction similar to that in Ray-naud''s disease. These changes varied according to water balance, being most marked when the "heat debt" was greatest.