A New Liver Function Test.

Abstract

In a number of phenoltetrachlorphthalein liver function tests, determinations of the bilirubin content of the blood showed a rise of the icterus index following the intravenous injection of the dye. When bromosulphalein was used no rise in the index took place. At first the reason for the rise in index following the use of the phenoltetrachlorphthalein was thought to be its toxic action upon the liver. Dr. S. M. Bassett, however, suggested that, inasmuch as distilled water was used to dilute a 5% to a 1% solution in the case of phenoltetrachlorphthalein, and no dilution was made in the case of bromsulphalein, the increase in icterus index might be due to the laking of red blood cells by the distilled water. Accordingly injections of distilled water up to 100 cc. were given intravenously, and, as surmised, a rise in the icterus index was produced.From this observation the idea arose that this use of distilled water might serve as a liver function test. The rationale was as follows: if the normal liver remo...