[Lethal intoxication by formalin during dialysis (author's transl)].

Systems for dialysis are disinfected, among other solutions, by formalin. Residues of formalin may remain in the interior of the system. A lethal intoxication with formalin by transvasal introduction of formalin during the dialysis of patients with nephritic disease cannot be observed very often. Two cases of death at the same time in one system for dialysis make evident that every case of death during dialysis should be investigated. The central symptom in both patients was dyspnea. It is probable that formalin affects the transportation and exchange of oxygen with lethal hemolysis.