It was shown by Marriott and Howland1 that retention of phosphoric acid was an important factor in the acidosis which develops in nephritis. It was also pointed out by the same authors that although the acidosis could be overcome by administration of alkali, such as sodium bicarbonate, little else was accomplished. There was no reduction of serum phosphate. They also suggested the possibility of calcium therapy as a means of eliminating phosphates by the bowel.
More recent work on calcium therapy has been especially concerned with the problem of edema in nephrosis, and it appears2 that calcium chlorid or other salts, such as ammonium chlorid, which leave a residue of mineral acid, will, by bringing the hydrogen ion concentration of the tissues nearer to their iso-electric points, cause the elimination of sodium and edematous fluid. However, the questions of phosphate elimination and other effects of calcium on mineral metabolism have