Vol. 60, 1909 - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

XXXIV
—
THE CHARLOTTE MEDICAL JOURNAL.
results corresponding in every way to the the growth of the B. Coli. Others believe
theory There were wide variations in that lactic acid and Us salts and possibly
quantity of urine, but the concentration some other products of the lactic acidbacilli,
changed little and was always much below have this action, even after the germs have
normal Givin^-salt and withholding water been killed by heat; while a third group becaused
extreme discomfort, soon becoming lieves that the effects are due wholly to the
unbearable- the refractive index of the stimulus given to the digestive processes by
blood was much increased, but the urine the acid milk. Von Kern's experiments
concentration was practically unchanged, were directed to the question whether the
In the other group of cases there was no B. Bulgarus has any real inhibiting action
sign of constancy of urine concentration, on the growth of B. Coh, in vivo and in
and the patients could nearly always volun- vitro. His experiments on the living per-
tarily refrain from drinking to the point son consisted in counting the colonies ot B.
where the concentration was practically Coli in a givrn amount of fecal matter with
normal Moreover, drugs which ordinarily and wilhout the administration of sourmilk.
diminish the water diu.esis or increase the He found them always much diminished in
molecular diuresis had little or no effect in number under sour milk, In vitro, he tried
the diabetes cases, while on the other hand the addition of the toxins of B. Bulgarus
after a sin'rle incxestion of a large amount to cultures of B. Coll. In the first two cases
of water the resulting dilution of the urine the inhibiting action of B. Bulgans was
was less than normaC and appeared later, evident, but not very marked, while the
That the inability of the kidneys to excrete effect ot the toxins was very decided. He
concentrated urine was not absolute was concludes that sour milk, especially when
demonstrated in one case by the elimina- prepared with B. Bulgarus, the most active
tion of urine of normal concentration dur- of the lactic acid group, is distinctly indiing
an intercurrent fever, and in two others cated in acute and chronic intestinal disbv
a moderate increase in concentration turbances with fermentation, in diseases of
after prolonged withholding of water or the stomach with insufficient secretion, and
administration of salt. Drugs, such as the accompanying intestinal disorders, and f
strychnin, atropin, and antipyrin were found especially the "achylic" diarrheas.— Zeituseless
in these cases. schr. f. Klin. Med.
•
The etiology of the condition is still obscure
Auto^ies have demonstrated t^e
*
«--'|y-„^« .--re"n^- CV^. l^n^
absence of anatomical changes m the kia-
Pathological Conditions.
nev The ordinary cause of polyuria
. , , j- i. ui
namely, hydremia resulting from excessive M. Sav-are has examined the undializable .,
drinking, "does not exist here, as the poly- residue of the unne, which is m coiiSideruria
is primary and hydremia does not able quantity m normal and patho og.cal
occur the blood being, 'oil the contrary, conditions in pregnant women, and has inneorly
alwavsconcenlrated. Engel inclines jected the residue into animals to ascertain
to the theory that the polyuria is the result whether it has toxic properties. He finds
of a continual nervous stimulus originating that there are contained m the urine of
in the cord and acting upon the kidney, women who are in a pathological condition
and cites cases of disease of brain or cord while pregnant, especially when attacked
in which precisely similar symptoms liave bv eclampsia, elements that are markedly
been observed.-Zeitschr. f. Rlin. Med. toxic to the experunent annua s. causing
them to have stupor and convulsions, ana
Eilect of the "Yoghurt" Bacillus on killing two out of ten animals injected. The
B- Coll.
relation to the causation of eclampsia ol
Von Kern reviews the liierature regard- these toxic elements is not as yet clearly
ing the laclic acid bacilli as intestinal anti- defined, but should be further studied, smc«
septics ( r sliuiulaiits to digestion. It is it nuiv prove a fruitful field of observation
generally admitted, and apparently proved — Annali di OsleU-icia^ Ginecologia.
"
experimentally, that certain animals thrive
better under the administration of sour The discomforts of Hay Fever will sooi
milk, and that the constituents of the urine have to be contended with. The mos
resulting from intestinal putrefaction are satisfactory remedy is Suprarenalin in «,:
distinctly diminished.
various forms— solution, ointment, mhalaii'
There' are three main theories as to the and triturates. Suprarenalin is preventive
reason for this. Metchnikoff and his school in some cases and palliative mothers,
ascribe the results observed to a direct in- Where anesthetic effect is required wj l<
hibiling action of the living lactic acid or- suggest Eucapren solution; a combinatioi u
ganisms, especially the "Yoghurt" bacillus of 1% B. Eucain Lactate and 1:dOOO supra ijj
(B. Bulgarus) and B. Paralacticus, upon renalin.