Abstract

IN MANY of the underdeveloped areas of the world it is impossible locally to prepare solutions sufficiently pure to be employed for intravenous infusion. A major need, therefore, exists for an easily obtainable cheap source of sterile pyrogenfree fluid suitable for intravenous administration.

The purpose of this communication is to present laboratory and clinical data concerning coconut water as a possible source of such intravenous fluid. Should this material prove to be satisfactory, it might be of benefit both to physicians now practicing in remote areas and under emergency military conditions where the normal sources of intravenous solutions have been interrupted.

MATERIALS AND METHODS This study has been carried out in Bangkok, Thailand, and in St. Louis. The majority of the laboratory procedures have been undertaken in St. Louis; clinical trials have been done in both Thailand and St. Louis. The present study deals only with coconut water of low