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This study is an attempt to compare the action on electrolyte excretion of cortexone-acetate (desoxycorticosterone-acetate, DCA) and glucoside (DCG) with that of aldosterone administered intramuscularly, intravenously and by mouth in normal subjects and in a patient with Addison's disease.Firstly (I), the daily electrolyte changes after massive doses of DCA are compared with those occurring with relatively high doses of aldosterone in normal men and one female with severe crippling rheumatoid arthritis.Secondly (II), in a patient with Addison's disease, three hourly urinary sodium and potassium excretions obtained during the day after DCA and aldosterone are compared with control values obtained while the subject was in slight adrenal insufficiency.Finally (III), the diurnal electrolyte variations occurring in two hourly urine specimens are followed in the same normal subject while on a constant diet and are compared with the effect on the composition of the urine of cortexone and aldosterone, given