METABOLIC STUDIES OF THE CHANGES IN BODY ELECTROLYTE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BODY WATER INDUCED EXPERIMENTALLY BY DEFICIT OF EXTRACELLULAR ELECTROLYTE 1

Abstract

Dogs were subjected for periods of a week or more to the following procedures: (1) deficit of extracellular electrolyte, (2) replacement of deficit of extracellular electrolyte and (3) administration of KC1. The conens. of serum electrolyte and the balances of water, Na, Cl, K and P were determined. Signs of dehydration and loss of appetite were produced by deficit of extracellular electrolyte and persisted until NaCl was administered. Loss of N, P, K and water accompanied deficit of Na and Cl. The proportions of these components in the losses were approximately the same as those found in muscle cells of dog, indicating that these losses were chiefly the result of starvation. With a largo deficit of Na and Cl little restoration of concn. of serum electrolyte occurred, but with a smaller loss, enough water was excreted almost to restore the concn. of electrolyte in serum. Retentions of K, P, and N unaccompanied by corresponding increases in body water were demonstrated.