19 15] Kidney Tvksponse in Uranium Nephritis 143 



The degree of this response in the animals of the different 

 groups, and in the animals of the same group varies. As a 

 result of these variations it is difficult to say that the animals 

 in one group are more responsive to these stimuli that are ani- 

 mals in another group. It is, however, clearly demonstrated 

 by the control groups of nephritic animals (Groups T and 

 III) that following a vasodilation from caffein which may be 

 as low as +32 to +37 mm. an increase in the output of 

 urine takes place; whereas in the anuric group of animals 

 (Group II) with vessels responsive to the same stimulus, and 

 giving a vasodilation which may be much greater than that 

 recorded above, +63 and +91 mm., no flow of urine takes 

 place. 



The experiments which have been conducted in this in- 

 vestigation, in addition to the experiments which have been 

 referred to in former investigations (1 and 2), would indi- 

 cate that the vascular mechanism of the kidney in an animal 

 nephritic from uranium and anuric following an anesthetic, 

 is as responsive to caffein and adrenalin as is the vascular 

 mechanism of the kidney of an animal nephritic from uran- 

 ium which following an anesthetic remains diuretic. 



The conclusion seems clear that the acutely developing 

 anurias in uranium nephritis which may follow the use of 

 different anesthetics are not dependent upon any loss in irri- 

 tability on the part of the renal vessels. 



In the investigation by Pearce, Hill and Eisenbrey (4) 

 which has been previously referred to, the authors have point- 

 ed out the effect of an anesthetic in inducing an anuria and 

 have also shown that the ability of the renal vessels to dilate 

 is retained. The phenomenon of vasodilation with little or 

 no diuresis they attribute to an impermeability of the glom- 

 erulus which follows the anesthetic. 



In the present investigation the changes in the kidney 

 which have been constantly associated with the development 

 of a complete anuria, and the changes which develop in the 

 kidneys of those animals that at the commencement of the 

 experiment are diuretic but that later become anuric, have 



