AMPUTATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 123 



CHAPTER IX. 



OBSERVATIONS UPON THE KIDNEY. 



In the present chapter we do not propose to treat of the comparative anatomy 

 and physiology of this organ in general, but simply to record a few observations 

 which we consider of importance. 1 



June 27. The kidneys of a small Chicken Snake (Coluber gut(alus), about two 

 and a half feet in length, and those of a large Coachwhip Snake, were carefully 

 amputated. The bloodvessels were secured and the wounds closed. The Chicken 

 Snake was placed in a glass jar and remained in confinement for three and a half 

 days, when it pushed off the top and made its escape, although this was held 

 down by a pound weight. The serpent, therefore, must have been strong and 

 active at the time of its escape. 



The Coachwhip Snake died at the end of three and a half days. Its viscera 

 presented remarkable appearances. The lung contained considerable quantities of 

 coagulated blood effused into the air-cells. The blood contained numerous minute 

 white particles. The exterior serous covering of the lungs, the internal surface of its 

 air-cells and coats of its bloodvessels, the serous covering of the intestines, abdominal 

 cavity, and surface of the liver, were covered with small white granules, appearing 

 as if fine white sand had been sprinkled over them. The deposit was in all cases 

 most abundant in the course of the bloodvessels. When the internal structure of 

 the liver was cut or torn it was found to be completely impregnated with these 

 small white masses which could be readily squeezed out, and appeared to occupy 

 principally the neighborhood of the bloodvessels. 



At the lower portion of the abdominal cavity, where the kidneys had been 

 amputated, the blood effused, and the peritoneum, with the internal surface of the 

 epidermis, where it had been removed from the muscles, were completely covered 

 with large numbers of these white granules having the appearance to the sight and 

 touch of grains of sand. This increased deposition in the region of the wound was 

 without doubt due to the more active determination of blood towards this part. 

 The intestines were found to contain the same deposit, none of it, however, was 

 found in the humors of the eye and muscular tissue. 



These granular masses from all parts of the abdominal cavity, and its viscera and 

 peritoneal coverings, and from the exterior and interior of the lungs were carefully 



1 See Observations by the Author upon the Kidney and its Excretions in Different Animals, 

 American Journal of Medical Sciences, April, 1855. 



