The effect of variations in protein and salt intake on the nitrogen and chloride content of sweat

Abstract

Analyses were made on extracts of (1) sweat and clothing, (2) clothing, and by subtraction values for sweat obtained. When the air temp. was constant, high protein intake (175-187 gm. daily) was accompanied by an increased output of N in the sweat of 4 normal subjects at rest in bed, as compared with their output on low protein intake (67-77 gm. daily). With the same protein intake, increase in air temp. apparently led to a higher daily excretion of sweat N. The effect of changes in protein intake was always in excess of that due to temp. At the same temps., increase in salt intake had no constant effect on the sweat Cl (as NaCl) output. Sweat Cl (as NaCl) rose with increase of air temp. if the intake of chloride was constant. In 2 cases of myxedema, sweat N and NaCl excretions were greatly reduced. In 2 cases of exophthalmic goiter sweat N and NaCl outputs varied with the severity of the disease as shown by the basal metabolic rate.