STUDIES ON THE WATER METABOLISM IN LIVER IMPAIRMENT. CHAPTER Ⅰ. METABOLISM OF WATER AND ELECTROLYTES IN EPIDEMIC HEPATITIS

The following results were obtained by surveying the circulating plasma and blood volumes together with the extracellular fluid volumes by both Evans blue and sodium rhodanate methods, and further in part sodium and chlorine in blood and urine. 1. The circulating plasma and blood volumes and the extracellular fluid volume in anacute stadium of epidemic hepatitis were increased respectively, and these volumes grew the normal ones in parallel with recovery. Slight increase of the circulating plasma and blood volumes as well as the extracelluar fluid volume appeared in a chronic stadium. 2. Remarkable decreases of sodium and chlorine excretions in urine were appeared in anacute stadium of epidemic hepatits contrarily to an increase in a recovering stadium. The concentration of sodlum and chlorine in sera, on the other hand, had no apparent tendency. 3. Values of the above three increased in liver cirrhosis, which was most apparent in ascitic cases. 4. The circulating plasma and blood volumes increased slightly in cholecystopathy, but no definite value was obtained on the extracellular fluid volume. 5. Values of the above three increased in Weil's disease, hemolytic and mechanical jaundice