Determination of galactose in blood.

P REVId)US INVESTIGATION (bile in this hospital requiring repeated galactose tolerance tests on a family with 3 galactosemic nmembers (6, 7) denmoimstrated the desirability of sinmplification or modification of the tests available for use in infants. We questioumed the possibility of variations iim the umormal galactose tolerance curve with age amid suggested the inadvisability of depending, at all age levels, on the commommly used “galactose curve of the normal individual.” We hoped to develop an accurate, clinically feasible test making use of materials and equipment available in the routine laboratory. Thus we were prompted to investigate the orcinol procedure of Bruckner (1) and receumt modifications of that nmethod by Fisher et at. (2). At the time this experimental work was completed, assays of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (3-5) were still too complex and time consuming for routine hospital work. Recemitly Schwarz (9) published a diagmmostic procedure for galactosemia which eliminates the hazards attendant upon giving large doses of galactose to patients with the acute form of this disease. We believe that a report of our experiences with the more direct approach would be of value.