The Acid-base Equilibrium and Electro-Analysis of Blood [antikvár]

PREFACE The dynamic progress of natural sciences, the application of the achievements of basic research, have also altered the measuringtechniques of medicine. Particularly conspicuous are the changes in diagnostics and intensive therapy where the introduction of electro-analytical techniques brought about remarkable results. In the past, physicians had to rely upon their established experiences in determining the patients' actual acid-base equilibrium condition; today the electro-analytical measuring methods offer a quantitative description. Simple relationships are available to plan the optimum therapy; moreover, the expectable effects of the therapy can often be anticipated. Although the scientific papers discussing the acid-base equilibrium and the household contain a fairly large number of electrochemical considerations, electro-analytical techniques and the facilities offered by them have not found the widespread application that they deserve. This is, in part, due to the lack of detailed fundamental work written for beginners in the profession, discussing the fundamentals and the basic principles of the techniques. This book adopts the example of blood to illustrate the ways of applying electrochemical calculations in biological systems and utilizing electro-analytical measuring techniques in determining the controlling parameters of biological equilibria and processes. It is sincerely hoped that this book will render a practical aid to physicians, assistants and university students and, by enriching their knowledge of electrochemistry, will contribute to the formation of their professional thinking. The author is very grateful to chemical engineer Dr. Tamás Damokos, the supervisor of this book, for his conscientious work, his valuable remarks and advices concerning the manuscript. Thanks are due to Assistant Lecturer Dr. János Kiszel. Candidate of Medical Sciences; to Dipl. Chem. Eng. Lajos Kecskés, for their supervision, assistance and proposals; to Dipl. Chemist Magdolna Kaszás, for compiling the Bibiliography; to graphic artist József Fazekas-Kovács, for drawing the illustrations. Acknowledgements are due to the managements of METRIMPEX Hungarian Trading Company for Instruments and RADELKIS Electrochemical Instruments Co. for enhancing the publication of this book and bearing the financial liabilities. Budapest, June, 1975 Jenő Havas