On the Formation of Ammonia in the Kidneys During Acidosis

Summary. A description is given of a modification of the method of Folin and Bell for the determination of ammonia in urine by means of permutite. It is demonstrated that both in man and dog the formation of ammonia during acidosis reaches a rather well defined maximum independent of the degree and duration of the acidosis. In man this maximum is reached after about 4 days, and the formation of ammonia continues at a high rate some time after cessation of the acidosis. In dogs the formation of ammonia attains its maximum in the course of a few hours. The pH in human urine is lowest in the initial stage of the acidosis and increases with increasing formation of ammonia.