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A study of the non-protein nitrogen, urea nitrogen, uric acid, creatinine, amino-acid nitrogen, sugar, and chlorides of the blood and the CO2-combining power of the plasma in normal dogs, and in dogs after different types of intestinal obstruction, is reported. Following ligation of the duodenum, ligation of the duodenum with gastroenterostomy, and ligation of the upper half of the ileum, a fall in chlorides and a rise in the non-protein nitrogen and urea nitrogen of the blood and in the CO2-combining power of the plasma occur. The uric acid, creatinine, amino-acid nitrogen, and sugar show no significant changes. The fundamental change is a fall in chlorides followed by an alkalosis. The degree of alkalosis depends upon the rate of formation of carbonate, rate of excretion by the kidneys, and extent of neutralization of the carbonate by acid bodies formed during the intoxication. The fall in chlorides is probably due to a utilization of the chlorine ion in the course of the intoxication. It is suggested that this use of chlorine is a protective measure on the part of the body. There are indications that high intestinal obstruction should not be treated by the administration of alkalies. The urea nitrogen is a good index of the protein destruction. Ligation of the ileum at the ileocecal valve is followed by little increase in nitrogen and no change in the chlorides or CO2-combining power of the plasma. The close similarity of the blood findings in intestinal obstruction, acute lobar pneumonia, and serum disease suggests that these widely different conditions may have a common chemical basis.

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In a chemical study of the blood after high intestinal obstruction in dogs it has been shown that the characteristic changes are a fall in chlorides, an increase in the non-protein nitrogen, and usually an increase in the carbon dioxide-combining power of the plasma.'These findings have certain points in common with the chemical changes reported by several observers in the study of the so called gastric tetany occurring after pyloric obstruction. MacCallum, Lintz, Vermilye, Leggett, and Boas 2 have shown that following section of the pylorus in dogs a fall in chlorides and an increase in the C02-combining power of the plasma occur. They conclude that the fall in chlorides is due to the loss of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice through vomiting and that the symptoms are the result of the alkalosis. They noted that the symptoms could be relieved by injections of sodium chloride. McCann' found that following operations on the stomach which exclude acid from the duodenum, tetany develops which is similar to parathyroid tetany. In both conditions he found an increase in the CO2-combining power of the plasma. He concludes that tetany is a condition of alkalosis. Hastings, Murray, and Murray 4 have also made certain studies on the blood after ligating the pylorus in an attempt to produce gastric tetany. All of their dogs developed an alkalosis. They found also that the calcium content of the blood was slightly higher than normal, that the chlorine and sodium were decreased, and that the sulfur and phosphorus were increased. In making a study of clinical tetany Grants reports two cases with obstruction at the pylorus in which there was an increase in the CO2-combining power of the plasma. In one case he found a marked reduction in chlorides in the blood.