Studies of Sodium and Potassium Metabolism in Salt-Losing Nephritis

SINCE THE term "salt-losing nephritis" was introduced by Thorn, Koepf, and Clinton1in 1944, in their study of two cases simulating adrenal cortex insufficiency, four additional cases have been reported.2An associated tendency toward excessive loss of potassium was found in one case,2cand electrocardiographic evidence of hyperpotassemia was seen in another.2dThe present report is concerned with a case of salt-losing nephritis, followed for two years, in which sodium was lost and potassium was retained in excess quantities. REPORT OF A CASE J. B., a 30-year-old man, was first admitted to the hospital on June 19, 1950, with complaints of weakness for one year; periodic vomiting before breakfast and intermittent bleeding from the gums for three months, and occasional hematemesis, nocturia, paresthesia of hands and feet, and cramping of the calf muscles for six weeks. The patient was anorexic and had been vomiting frequently just prior to admission. This