Drew Solution
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Drew solution is a fluid used as an alternative to plasma for tissue explantation outside the body. It contains specific salts and is particularly useful for rapidly growing tissues when avoiding clotted plasma is desirable.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
DREW SOLUTION (Drew), liquid D., is used in certain cases instead of plasma as a medium for the explantation of tissues outside the organism (see Tissue cultures). Liquid D. has the following composition: NaCl- 0.900, KCl-0.042, NaHCO3-0.020, CaCl2- 0.020, CaH4(PO4)2-0.010, MgHPO4-0.010, H2O-100.0. Practically, it is advisable to prepare a stock solution of each salt separately, 10 times stronger than the required final concentration. Take 10 cm3 of each solution (or suspension) and add 40 cm3 of distilled water. The Ca and NaHCO3 solutions are sterilized not in an autoclave, but simply boiled for 10 min. and added just before use. An opalescent liquid is obtained (the Ca salts, as D. indicates, are probably in a colloidal state); its pH is 7.4. Liquid D. is used either by itself or in a mixture with embryonic extract (e.g., 2 parts extract to 3 parts liquid D.). Liquid D. gives satisfactory results only when growing rapidly growing tissues (embryonic, from some tumors) outside the organism and is used mainly in cases where it is desirable to avoid clotted plasma in the preparation. Recently, a modification of D. s. in the form of the Pannett and Compton solution has been used most frequently.
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“Drew Solution.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/drew-solution/