viii THE EXCRETION OF URINE 453 



be interpreted by a stimulation of secretory fibres due to section, 

 but must depend on a paralytic dilatation of the renal arteries, 

 similar to that produced after dividing the nerves that enter at 

 the hilum. 



Lastly, if we admit the existence of secretory renal fibres (for 

 which there is some evidence in the histological facts discovered 

 by Berkley), it must be allowed that the system of secretory fibres 

 is able to function independently of the central nervous system. 

 In fact, it results from a series of experiments performed on frogs 

 by Bidder (1844), that in these animals the secretion of urine is 

 not arrested even when the spinal cord had been excised. The 

 same fact was also observed by Goltz and Ewald on a dog from 

 which they had removed nearly the whole of the cord in a number 

 of operations. We may therefore conclude that the secretory 

 nerves to the kidney belong to the sympathetic system, which 

 entirely agrees with the histological work of Berkley. 



As regards the reflexes transmitted to the kidneys, Spallitta's 

 results (1891) may be cited. He proved that ligation of one 

 ureter in dogs at a short distance from the renal pelvis often (in 

 3 out of 7 animals operated on) produced arrest of urinary secretion 

 in the kidney of the opposite side as well. In some experiments 

 this arrest lasted 40-48 hours, an abundant diuresis followed, and 

 sugar was found in the first urine excreted. These results agree 

 perfectly with clinical cases of reflex anuria due to renal calculi 

 with occlusion of one ureter (Tenneson, Carriere). Reflex anuria 

 or oliguria has also been observed in certain diseases of the testicles 

 (Nepveu), and in consequence of the surgical operations of vesico- 

 vaginal fistula (Jobert), and lithotomy (Arico). 



Vinci (1900-2) found in the dog that division of the spinal 

 cord between the third and fourth cervical vertebrae produced 

 total anuria, even if abundant diuresis had previously been 

 aroused by injection of glucose and lactose. Since he could not 

 detect any variation in blood pressure and circulation to account 

 for the anuria, he concluded that a renal centre must exist in this 

 part of the cord. 



The clinical phenomenon of hysterical anuria (cf. the two 

 classical cases described by Rossoni; Chap. VI. p. 361) is highly 

 important in relation to the hypothetical existence of renal secretory 

 nerves. 



The well-authenticated fact of total suspension of the renal 

 secretion for long periods of time, which are unequal and occur 

 irregularly, lasting in the first case for a maximum period of 22 

 days, in the second for more than 30, seems to us incontrovertible 

 evidence for the existence of direct secretory nerves to the renal 



fland. Having already described and estimated the effects of 

 ysterical anuria in regard to the vicarious excretory functions of 

 the gastro-intestinal system, we must now investigate its internal 



