A system of practical medicine. By American authors. Vol. 2 : $b General diseases (continued) and diseases of the digestive system
Science
A system of practical medicine. By American authors. Vol. 2 : $b General diseases (continued) and diseases of the digestive system
Medicine -- Practice
The kidneys have been mentioned above. They are often found rather
large. Though the fact has been alluded to before, I will here again
state that it has always been the general impression that the amount of
lime eliminated in the urine of rachitic children is excessive. The
reverse of that is true. Seemann and Lander have proved beyond dispute
that in most stages of rachitis there is less than the normal amount of
lime in the urine. Thus, the theory that lime is eliminated by an
excess of acids in the blood is proven to be incorrect. But it is a
fact that the rachitical bone contains a proportionately small amount
of lime. The conclusion is, then, that its introduction must have been
diminished. On the other hand, every article of food contains a large
amount of lime, which might be introduced into the circulation if
digestion be not at fault. The fact is, that a large amount of lime
introduced is not utilized, and is eliminated with the feces.
In connection with these facts the following will be found very
interesting. It has been found by Bunge that when potassium, with the
exception of chloride of potassium, meets chloride of sodium, the two
will exchange their acids, so as to form chloride of potassium and
phosphate of sodium. They will be found in the blood also, will be
eliminated as such, and result in a comparative absence of chloride of
sodium from the serum of the blood. Now, comparative absence of
chloride of sodium diminishes the possibility of the development of
hydrochloric acid. Thus, it is not a surplus of acid, but a lack of
hydrochloric acid, which results from such chemical combinations. If
such be the case, calcium salts are not absorbed sufficiently. Thus,
they will appear in the feces, and not even be absorbed in the
intestines, because of the alkalinity of the intestinal secretion, by
which the lime cannot be dissolved. The more lime, then, is introduced
under these circumstances, the greater the incumbrance to digestion.
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