T&T: Buehler reference to drinking salt water ?

[Sven]

In "The Troller Yacht Book", Buehler refers to a German doctor who  
paddled a kayak from Africa to America in the 50s (p. 22 in the 1999  
version). Buehler claims that the doctor proved that if you start  
drinking sea-water before you get dehydrated you will not destroy  
your kidneys.

I was reading the book to learn about long distance non-sail  
voyaging, but his statement certainly caught my attention. I've tried  
a few obvious Google searches, but so far I have not found any  
references to this "proof".  If it is indeed true that you should  
start drinking sea-water before you get dehydrated that would indeed  
be interesting to know.

Does anyone here have a reference ?

Thanks,





-Sven