POSSIBILITY OF FAULTY DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES IN PATIENTS TAKING THIAMIN CHLORIDE

The first morning specimen of urine collected from the patient, Mr. L. W., showed very marked reduction of Benedict's solution. The following morning the fasting blood sugar content was determined and found to be 90 mg. per hundred cubic centimeters. The following day after a breakfast high in carbohydrates the urine was again examined and showed no reduction. At intervals thereafter, with a continued daily dose of 4 mg. of thiamin chloride, the urine either showed traces of reducing substances or no reduction whatever. The medication of the patient, begun a month prior to the first urine examination, was two tablets of thiamin chloride prior to each meal (i.e. 6 mg. a day), three 1½ grain (0.1 Gm.) tablets of theophylline with ethylenediamine and 3 grains (0.2 Gm.) of phenobarbital daily. Neither theophylline with ethylenediamine nor phenobarbital reduces Benedict's solution.

On the other hand 10 mg. of pure thiamin chloride