Blood Chemistry.pdf
Blood Chemistry.pdf
Blood Chemistry.pdf
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444 PORTO RICO JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND TROP . MEDICINE<br />
in their work that serum calcium is within normal limits in leprosy,<br />
that it is not affected by ty pe, duration or treatment of the disease,<br />
but it is 'slightly increased in recovered cases.<br />
The writers believe that the difference of opinions between th e<br />
investigators cited is of interest and leaves the subjec t open to further<br />
study.<br />
Gomez, Leitas, Pereira and Wancollecr) studying the cholesterol<br />
content of the blood in leprosy found a reduction proportional to<br />
the gravity of the case and a further decrease in febrile reerudescense :<br />
they observed further that chaulmoogra-oil treatment increased<br />
cholesterol and that patients with high cholesterol rarely developed<br />
severe forms of leprosy.<br />
Boyd and Roy (8), working in India, found that cholesterol was<br />
reduced in the early st ages of the disease and that in advanced cases<br />
ciphers were still lower. They observed further that in advancedtreated<br />
cases cholesterol does not return to normal.<br />
'We have found only OD e study in the literature where the chloride<br />
eontent of lepers' blood was 'studied. This was mad e by P aras f")<br />
who found them normal.<br />
In the literature available we have been unable to obtain data<br />
as to the phosphorus content and icteric index in leprosy.<br />
METHODS.<br />
The det erminations were done on blood serums only. <strong>Blood</strong><br />
samples were conveniently collected and allowed to coagulate at room<br />
temperature. The blood clot was removed bv centrifu gation and<br />
pipetting th e clear supernatant blood serum.<br />
In determining serum calcium , Clark and Collips f!") modification<br />
of the Kramer method WBS used. For cholesterol determinations,<br />
Sackett's(ll) modification of Bloor's method. The chlori des were determined<br />
by the Van Slyke method as modified by Wilson and<br />
Ball. (1%)<br />
For phosphorus Brigg's modification of tb e Bell and Doisv<br />
method was used and the Icteric Index was determined by the<br />
Jfeul engoraeht method.<br />
Pindings are correlated with abnormalities in th e nrines, type of<br />
leprosy, and extent and duration of the disease. Diet and drug<br />
therapy are also taken into consideration.<br />
As controls, a group of apparently normal persons is studied. A<br />
~peon d group was selected among non-lepers with nephritis.<br />
The data is presented in thirteen tables . In tables I to III lepers