Although the elimination of acetone bodies, found in the urine in various conditions, has been thoroughly investigated, we still lack reliable information as to the extent to which these substances may accumulate in human blood and tissues during life. Diminished alkalinity of the blood, such as may occur in acidosis, is a condition unfavorable to diuresis, so that it is quite possible to have only a moderately high excretion of acetone bodies in the urine of a patient who may exhibit symptoms of severe acid intoxication. It is in such cases that' an analysis of the blood should yield data of diagnostic and prognostic value.
By a method, which is described elsewhere,1 it is possible to determine acetone, aceto-acetic acid and beta-oxybutyric acid in small amounts of blood drawn directly from a vein. From 2 c.c. to 5 c.c. of blood is sufficient, and the analysis may be carried