Blood and urinary chloride estimations in medical diseases with a discussion on their possible significance

Abstract

The investigations carried out in this thesis were undertaken with a view to determining the frequency and types of chloride upsets encountered in the varied illnesses seen in an adult medical ward. Blood chloride (whole blood and plasma) estimations were made in two hundred and two patients suffering from a variety of diseases: where initial abnormal readings were obtained, the blood estimations were, wherever possible, repeated at short intervals during the time these patients were under observation. The urinary chloride outputs were also estimated and where apparent abnormalities in blood content of chloride or urinary excretion existed, attempts were made to evaluate the urinary chloride elimination daily.