THE observations about to be described form a further part of a series of investigations into the metabolic activities over given periods. They differ from those already publishe%l in that the observation time is much longer-24 hours. Working with short periods, one of us (E. C. D. () demonstrated that there were more or less definite relations between the alveolar and blood C02 tension, gastro-intestinal secretion (2), and certain urinary constituents(3). These relations were altered by the effect of meals.The results of the previous investigations can be summarised briefly as follows:1. During a period of starvation, the alveolar C02 tension remains more or less constant, whilst the urinary pH and A + N value do not show any definite change.2. After a meal, the alveolar C02 tensions show the characteristic rise followed by a fall. The urinary changes were found to vary according to the meal. Thus the breakfast was followed by a definite alkaline tide, as shown by a rise in the pH and a fall in the A + N value. This alkaline tide was usually of short duration, and was followed by a prolonged acid tide, as shown by a fall in the urinary pH and a rise in the A + N values-both of which obscured any alkaline effect of the next meal.It was felt that these investigations were incomplete, since the observation times were never longer than 8 hours, and ouly the pH and A + N values were determined. The present investigation was undertaken, therefore, in order to clear up the difficulties of the previous observations.Variations in the composition of urine throughout 24 hours have been studied by many observers. Thus Bence Jones(4) was perhaps the first to notice the alkaline tide following a meal. Since this observer's 1 On behalf of the Medical Research Council.PH. LIX.
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