Oral maintenance of water-electrolyte and acid-base balance in cholera: a preliminary report.

A study was undertaken to determine whether the absorption of glucose from the normal small bowel also involves increased absorption of sodium and water. 9 adult males suffering from severe cholera were studied. They were divided into 2 groups, each of which received a different oral electrolyte solution, on an alternating schedule with control periods of intravenous fluid therapy. The solution formulae are tabulated. Balance data and study results are tabulated. The study shows that water and electrolytes were absorbed from both the glucose-electrolyte solutions studied. Increased content of glucose in the solution reduced the amount of fluid necessary to maintain the fluid balance. This study leads to a conclusion that orally-administered glucose-electrolyte solutions can be valuable in cholera management, especially in situations where intravenous fluids are insufficient or inappropriate or where personnel skilled in their administration are lacking.