Wilson and his co-workers1 pointed out that in parathyroidectomized dogs, just previous to the attacks of tetany, an increased alkalinity of the blood develops, a condition termed by them "alkalosis," which is neutralized by the acid products generated by the tetanic contractions of the musculature. Recently Grant and Goldman2 have shown that forced respiration may cause symptoms of tetany to appear in the human. In these cases the underlying factor appears to be an "alkalosis." The forced breathing causes an excess of carbon dioxid to be exhaled from the lungs, thereby reducing the amount in the blood. This results in an increased alkalinity of the blood. However, they observed that the tetanic movements apparently produce acid products which tend to compensate for the increased alkalinity until a readjustment takes place.
Clinically it has at times been noted3 that after the therapeutic administration of sodium bicarbonate for acidosis,