A NEW METHOD OF PREPARING INFUSION FLUIDS

Abstract

A better understanding of the physiology of body fluids has led to universal intravenous use of dextrose solution and physiologic solution of sodium chloride. There is hardly a medical specialty that can dispense with their use. While most infusion fluids may be said to be safe, occasionally a febrile reaction, or series of reactions, occurs. The factors alleged to cause these reactions are mostly conjectures, which have accumulated in the way of clinical traditions until the preparation of infusion fluids has become so cumbersome that many hospitals now resort to commercially prepared fluids, some Council accepted and some not. This has imposed an added financial burden on hospitals. At the same time most of the factors alleged to be causative of this reaction have not been thoroughly investigated. <h3>REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE</h3> "Reactions" following the intravenous injection of aqueous solutions have been known nearly as long as intravenous therapy itself.