• The possible role of potassium in the pathogenesis of the "electrolyte-steroid-cardiopathy with necrosis" (BSCN) lias been suggested since the early experiments when it was shown that lesions were produced only after treatment with corticoids (such as 9a-fluorocortisol or 2a-methyl-9a-ehlorocortisol),* which strongly influence potassium metabolism, and that cardiac necroses were prevented by the administration of potassium salts.