[Diagnosis of drowing as based on chloride, urea and creatinine values].

Chlorides, urea and creatinine values in the blood of the right and left heart were studied in 38 drowned bodies and 32 subjects with another cause of death. Pronounced differences between the right and left heart of the drowned bodies were found in chlorides and urea, less in creatinine. The probability of the diagnosis of drowning rises with the increasing difference between the right and left heart; in chlorides from the difference of 13 mg%, in urea 6 mg% and in creatinine 0,45 mg%. Contradictory results may, however, be obtained. Therefore the above mentioned laboratory test should be considered auxiliary only.