Distribution of Chlorides and Bicarbonates in Blood Following Addition of Hydrochloric Acid

Abstract

Summary

An investigation has been made of certain aspects of Van Slyke's laws concerning the distribution of ions between red cells and plasma at different pH values. When hydrochloric acid was used to bring about variations in blood pH, losses of CO₂-from plasma water and cell water were equal, so that the ratio (HCO₃)_c/(HCO₃)_s remained unchanged and equal to unity at all pH values. The values of (Cl)_c/(Cl)_s at different pH values did not parallel the values of (HCO₃)_c/(HCO₃)_s but gradually rose to unity at values of pH which varied, the actual value appearing to depend upon and to vary with the red cell content of the blood.