THE DIURETIC ACTION OF AMMONIUM CHLORID AND NOVASUROL

Abstract

We have previously reported the successful use of ammonium chlorid in a case of nephritis with edema. We were led to the substitution of ammonium chlorid for calcium chlorid chiefly because of the difficulty in administering the latter. In many cases calcium chlorid caused nausea and vomiting, while these symptoms were much less frequent and troublesome after the ingestion of ammonium chlorid. Gamble, Blackfan and Hamilton, 1 for similar clinical reasons, have administered ammonium sulphate and ammonium chlorid to children with nephritis. Since our first successful use of ammonium chlorid, this salt has received a thorough trial in different types of nephritis with edema. In many it produced prompt diuresis, with rapid disappearance of the edema. In others, its beneficial effects were temporary and slight. In the latter cases, the organic mercury compound novasurol was administered, and as a rule the resulting diuresis was most striking. These results with novasurol