Electrolyte and Volume Changes in Fluids Injected into the Peritoneal Cavity *

Theexperiments here presented were planned to permit a study of the qualitative and quantitative changes that take place in certain types of fluids which are often injected into the peritoneal cavity or subcutaneous tissues for therapeutic purposes. Data were obtained which show the alterations in the electrolyte pattern and in the volume which occur during the process of absorption from the peritoneal cavity. The solutions studied were isotonic sodium chloride, glucose, and a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. While the subject of peritoneal absorption has had the benefit of considerable attention over a long period of years, an accurate ionic study has been prevented, until relatively recently, by the lack of suitable chemical methods, especially those for estimation of total base and of bicarbonate. It ought to be possible now to determine to what extent ions, rather than salts as such, diffuse away from and into the peritoneal cavity; to study more carefully than has been possible heretofore the mechanism of equilibrium between the plasma and the peritoneal fluid.