The Journal of experimental medicine
-
Experiments to determine the effect of furnishing an ample supply of sodium chloride on the toxemia of pyloric and intestinal obstruction are reported. A fall in chlorides is the first and seemingly most significant change to take place in the blood after pyloric and intestinal obstruction. The chloride is apparently utilized by the body as a protective measure against the primary toxic substance. ⋯ Good therapeutic results have been obtained with very concentrated sodium chloride solutions, and with dry sodium chloride given by mouth. It seems evident that sodium chloride has a specific action in preventing and possibly in controlling the changes produced by the toxic body. Sodium chloride is a valuable therapeutic agent in pyloric and high intestinal obstruction.