The Journal of the American Medical Association

535Dearborn Avenue . . . Chicago, Ill. Cable Address . . . . "Medic, Chicago" Subscription price . . . . . Five dollars per annum in advance For other information see second page following reading matter SATURDAY, JULY 27, 1912 ACID-FORMING AND BASE-FORMING FOODS The balance of acids and bases in the body is a matter of no small concern for the maintenance of healthy physiologic equilibrium. The nicety of the adjustment which normally prevails in this respect is brought to light whenever a pathologic upset enters into the usual routine of metabolism. When, for example, a condition of acidosis is brought about by the abnormal production of such products as diacetic acid, beta-oxybutyric acid or lactic acid, the organism makes a strenuous effort to eliminate the toxic acids after neutralization with fixed alkalies, alkali earths or ammonia. The therapeutic administration of alkali salts such as sodium bicarbonate or sodium citrate is, of course, based on the desirability of averting undue