Abstract

The effect of the action of atophan upon the uric acid output in the urine and the decrease in the concentration of this substance in the blood begins to be manifest nearly as soon as absorption of the drug has taken place; and has exerted its maximum influence in about one day. With continued administration of atophan, the extra elimination of uric acid is practically over in two days, and further use of the drug in the doses employed (3 to 5 gms. daily) fails to induce a further reduction in the uric acid of the blood. When the administration of the drug is discontinued there is a marked fall in the output of uric acid and a rise in the concentration of this substance in the blood commensurate with the initial increase in the urine and decrease in the blood. The rise in the blood probably begins as soon as the use of atophan has been discontinued, attaining in most cases the original level in two days.

The influence of atophan is interpreted to indicate an increased permeability of the kidney for uric acid. The data is presumed to indicate a more or less quantitative relationship between the increased output in the urine and the decrease in the blood. Radium administered intravenously as the bromide and inhalation of emanation in strengths as high as 100 M. U. per liter, for long periods of time failed to disclose any influence upon the uric acid concentration of the blood.