STUDIES ON EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL HYPOCHLOREMIA IN MAN 1

Abstract

Severe hypochloremia was produced rather slowly in 2 adult men with pyloric obstruction secondary to duodenal ulcer by the gradual withdrawal of the gastric contents. Despite serum chloride values of 53.8 and 58.9 m. M/L, the blood urea N reached maximum levels of only 30.0 and 23.3 mg.% respectively. A similar absence of ozotemia during hypochloremia and alkalosis was observed in 10 patients during treatment for peptic ulcer. Such hypochloremia and alkalosis were not associated with decreased renal function, as measured by the urea clearance test, when adequate amis. of fluid were administered daily. Gastric secretion was not altered significantly by the severe hypochloremia and alkalosis.