Abstract
Because of striking changes in certain of the blood constituents, especially phosphorus, which follow adrenal extirpation in cats, and the fact that these animals present unusual changes in respiration a few hours preceding coma and death, it seemed probable that acid intoxication was one of the train of symptoms leading to death from epinephrectomy.
Unilaterally operated animals were used as controls. The amount of serum protein, total nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen, serum carbon dioxide, serum chloride, inorganic phosphorus and total base was determined. The pH was also determined.
The second adrenal was extirpated from 5 to 7 days after the removal of the first gland. The blood determinations were made again when the animals showed marked symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.
The blood was obtained with the usual precautions, and all the determinations were made accroding to standard procedure. The acid values of protein, bicarbonate, chloride, and phosphorus were calculated as described by Peters et al. 1 Total acid was taken to be the sum of all the determined acids. Organic acid was calculated by subtracting total acid from total base.
The results of the blood determinations showed that marked changes occurred in the blood following bilateral adrenal removal.
1. The tension of carbon-dioxide always dropped.
2. There was always a fall in pH.
3. The proteins rose in all except one case.
4. There was usually a marked rise in phosphorus.
5. The serum bicarbonate always diminished.
6. The total acid always diminished (i. e., at the expense of bicarbonate).
Certain values showed variation in different individuals.
1. Changes in chloride concentration were variable.
2. Total base showed a striking drop in three animals.
3. Organic acid was not consistently affected, although it tended to be higher in the operated animals.
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