Abstract
(i) Cases were examined with a view to determining
the advisability of giving fluid in
Cardiac Oedema.
(ii) It was found that fluid might be given so
long as a. salt free diet is maintained.
(iii) Salt free diet is of the utmost importance
in Cardiac Oedema.
(iv) Excessive fluid and salt free diet may
help the kidney to remove waste products of
metabolism and this is beneficial to patient.
There also seems to be a thickening of the
blood.
(v) Excess of fluid and salt free diet may
start a diuresis.
(vi) Study of salt and fluid intake in Oedema
suggested the importance of salt as a factor
in Cardiac Oedema.
(vii) Salt excretion is deficient in conditions
of Cardiac Oedema but fluid excretion remains
good.
(viii) Salt is therefore retained in circulation
which upsets osmotic pressure of blood. Surplus
salt therefore driven into tissues and
takes fluid with it.
(ix) Administration of salt in Oedema is dangerous
and if given in sufficient quantities
may produce Hydraemia.
(x) In this type of Hydraemia alkali reserve
is raised and there is therefore probably no
acidosis.
(xi) Venous pressure is also not raised and
therefore it is probable that neither is capillary
pressure.
(xii) Colloidal osmotic pressure is normal in
some cases.
(xiii) Glucose if given in sufficient quantity
causes increase in weight.
(xiv) This appears to be due to mechanism for
keeping osmotic pressure constant and Chloride
is driven to tissues taking fluid with it.
(xv) The suggestion is made that a deficient
salt excretion may be one factor in Cardiac
Oedema.
