Abstract
Abstract Total body water has been determined in human subjects by administering deuterium oxide (D 2 O) orally as the tracer substance and after equilibrium has occurred, determining the dilution of the tracer by measuring the change in freezing point of the serum water with a sensitive osmometer. Error from variations in base-line readings of the cryoscope has been minimized by "straddling" the serum sample with a control of double distilled water. The administration of D 2 O orally rather than intravenously does not appear to add another variable in the determination of total body water. Variation in total body water in 9 subjects considered to be normal in respect to fluid and electrolyte balance over a period of 3 to 6 weeks has been determined.
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