[After 103 years, is it time to cancel the Hasselbalch equation from textbooks?]

The equation called "Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation" was created in 1916 following the Henderson Equation published in 1908. After analyzing the evolution from the simplicity of Henderson to the complexity of Hasselbalch, it is hoped that the acid-base balance can become a simpler and more exciting topic if approached and taught without using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, which includes 4 logarithms. It is stated that the rationale underlying the understanding of acid-base equilibrium and its clinical application is already clearly inherent in the much simpler Henderson formula (without logarithms), which is sufficient, and very useful, for both teaching and learning in Medicine.

Jacques Loeb (1859-1924) and His Forgotten Contributions to Electrolyte and Acid-Base Physiology in The Organism as a Whole.

Jacques Loeb (1859-1924) was the founder of the Journal of General Physiology which he co-directed in association with W.J.V. Osterhout in the years 1918-1924. Having worked (1889-1891)at the Marine Zoological Station of Naples, newly founded by Anton Dohrn, he was imprinted for life. A strong investigator used to perform the experiments personally. Loeb was engaged lifelong in the explanation of life on physico-chemical basis. He touched various fields (being a creative scientist full of ideas), and centered on the exchanges of electrolytes, acids and bases between the body and sea water in fish. He identified two equations: {[K+]+[Na+]}: {[Ca++]+[Mg++]} (Loebs 1st equation) {[K+]+[Na+]}: {[H+]+[Ca++]+[Mg++]} (Loebs final equation) Even nowadays these equations may have applications in a wide list of electrolyte and acid-base disturbances. Unfortunately his heredity has been dissipated.