Abstract

Parenteral infusions of aminoacid mixtures have been used since 1937 in attempts to replace nitrogen losses in disease.^{1 2} The administration of carbohydrate together with aminoacids discourages protein breakdown,³ and the commercially available mixtures listed in the table are the results of long investigation to find the best combination of protein and carbohydrate. More recently fats and ethanol-hexose solutions have been used to supply calories.