[Biochemical changes in the blood of calves with scours and their correction by fluid therapy (author's transl)].

Clinical studies in calves which were moribund as a result of scours showed that the circulation was disturbed, the body temperature reduced and locomotion impaired. Biochemical examination of the blood showed that metabolic adidosis was present in every case. As a result of the inadequate circulation, respiratory compensation was not detectable in the venous blood in every case. On the other hand, it was invariably detected in the arterial blood. Metabolic acidosis was mainly due to a marked increase in the concentration of lactic acid in the serum. The haematocrit had increased, the blood urea and serum phosphate concentrations showed an increase, whereas the blood glucose lecel was reduced. Treatment showed that administration of 2,000 ml. of an isotonic bicarbonate solution by intravenous drip resulted in disappearance of the metabolic acidosis. However, this form of therapy failed to bring about the disappearance of the circulatory disorders in a number of cases. On the other hand, treatment of these disorders was successful when 3 l. of distilled water with 30 g. of sodium bicarbonate and 9 g. of sodium chloride, followed by 3 l. of distilled water with 14 g. of sodium bicarbonate, 12 g. of sodium chloride, 8 g. of potassium chloride and 100 g. of glucose were administered by infusion for 24 hours.