8 



Kidney-Explantation and Hypertension 



Summary and Conclusions 



1. Explantation experiments in dogs reveal that the kidney is an organ of 

 variable size, with measurable changes dependent upon diet, probably due to 

 changes in blood supply. The enlargement is comparatively slight with protein 

 and more marked with salt and water. 



Fig. 2. Example of lesions in dogs with chronic hypertension, produced by 

 intermittent clamping of kidney pedicles (Loesch). 



2. The blood pressure of dogs, determined by auscultation, is also subject to 

 fluctuations due to diet. The slight rise from salt and water in normal dogs is 

 magnified in those with chronic hypertension. 



3. An acute hypertension of nervous character is produced by clamping or 

 ligation of explanted kidneys and also of other organs such as the testes, legs, 

 and tail. The opposite condition which has been described by former writers 

 under special conditions, namely a rise of pressure following restoration of 

 circulation, due to chemical substances flushed out from the asphyxiated kid- 

 neys, never occurs in the intact animal. 



