Common Patterns of Water and Electrolyte Change in Injury, Surgery and Disease

THE years since World War II have witnessed an intensive exploration of the metabolic changes of trauma, surgery, acute disease and chronic wasting illness. Metabolism has been measured by metabolic balance methods, body composition and membrane transfer by the study of isotope exchange, and endocrine changes by hormone assay. Although the picture is far from complete, and interpretations have been halting, stumbling or downright erroneous, a mass of new data has emerged that is of assistance in the daily bedside care of the sick.Some of the most useful data bear on the recognizable patterns of water-electrolyte change seen in . . .