Abstract
There can be little doubt that an enzymic
hydrolysate of casein is an adequate source of protein
food; the indications for its administration in
preference to those of whole protein are, however,
more difficult to find.
The complexity of the changes in salt metabolism
which result from operation is obvious. It is, there
-fore, not surprising that no simple chemical estimation
is of use in indicating the salt requirements of the
patient at this time. The chloride concentration of
the blood may give an erroneous impression, since salt
retention has been observed with both raised and
depressed values. Lack of salt in the urine is likewise
no indication that the patient has not been given an
adequate salt intake, since, for a variety of reasons,
the patient is unable to excrete salt in the immediate
post - operative period. A further knowledge of the
problems involved is, therefore, required before a simple
procedure can be found which will give the clinician
a clear idea of his patients' salt requirements.
