7 6 



Scientific Proceedings (iio). 



early in the intoxication from 4 mgs. of mercuric chloride per 

 kilogram presents the following points of interest. The liver is 

 pale and the lobulations well marked. Histologically the peri- 

 phery of the loblues show cells which are edematous and necrotic. 

 As the center of the lobule is reached these changes become less 

 marked. The destruction of liver tissue is extensive when the 

 duration of the intoxication and the amount of the poison ad- 

 ministered is taken into consideration- The kidneys have 

 appeared normal. On section they drip blood freely. The 

 glomeruli are prominent. Histologically both the vascular and 

 epithelial elements of the kidney have failed to show evidence of 

 degeneration. The capillaries of the glomeruli have been well 

 filled with blood and have generally obliterated the subcapsular 

 space. No exudate or hemorrhage into the subcapsular space 

 has been observed. The tubular epithelium, especially that of 

 the convoluted tubules, has appeared decreased in volume, giving 

 undue prominence to the tubular lumen. The nuclei have 

 appeared large in proportion to the cytoplasm of the cells and 

 have stained intensely. 



Conclusions. 



1 . When normal dogs are given mercuric chloride in the dose of 

 4 mgs. per kilogram there develops a well marked and constant 

 diuresis. This mercury diuresis is not solely dependent upon the 

 action of the mercury on the kidney during its elimination, for 

 such a diuretic effect may be obtained when the urine is free from 

 mercury. 



2. In the early stages of an intoxication from such small quanti- 

 ties of mercury there is further evidence of its diuretic effect which 

 is shown by an increase in the elimination of phenolsulphoneph- 

 thalein. 



3. Prior to, or associated with, the appearance of albumin 

 alone, or albumin and casts in the urine, there occurs a reduction 

 in the reserve alkali of the blood. This change in the acid-base 

 equilibrium of the blood is not primarily a retention phenomenon 

 dependent upon an injury to the kidney, for at the time of the 

 reduction in the alkali reserve of the blood there is evidence of an 

 increase in the functional capacity of the kidney, as is shown by 

 an increase in the amount of urine formed and by an increase in 



