The term "alkalosis" was used originally by Fischler 1 in 1911 with reference to the toxemia of animals with Eck fistulas because the disturbance was attributed to a disproportion between the acid and base in the body. Alkalosis has since assumed increasing significance in relation to various experimental and clinical problems.It was first reported as a complication of the Sippy treatment of peptic ulcer by Grant2 in 1922, although Sippy himself had previously recognized its occurrence.3Its manifestations have now become familiar to most clinicians as a result of the detailed accounts of Hardt and Rivers,4 Ellis,5 Gatewood and his associates 6 and others.7 Despite the fact that the original Sippy powders were mixtures of sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate, the systemic effects of alkali administration were attributed entirely to the highly soluble sodium bicarbonate, and the influence of calcium carbonate on the electrolyte balance received only occasional consideration. It was assumed originally that this alkali had little or no effect on the acid-base balance and mineral metabolism.8 A recent paper by McGee and others°l ikewise indicated that moderate amounts of calcium carbonate did not significantly alter the acid-base equilib¬ rium. In contrast to these studies are the reports of Wildinan,10 Gatewood and his associates,6 Cooke,11 and Cope a describing the occurrence of alkalosis in patients receiving only calcium carbonate. In this report we present a further study of the alkalosis following the administration of calcium carbonate and refer particu¬ larly to the role of chlorides.
METHOD OF STUDYA series of 105 patients with peptic ulcer, including both sexes and of ages from 16 to 78, has been treated with large doses of calcium carbonate during the past three years. Alkalosis, as evidenced by