II. RENAL FUNCTION INFLUENCED BY PROTEOSE INTOXICATION

The injection of the toxic proteose obtained from the contents of the obstructed small intestine causes a definite impairment of the eliminative function of the kidneys as shown by a decreased capacity to excrete urea, sodium chloride, and phenolsulfonephthalein. This involvement of the renal function is similar to that shown by the preceding report (1) to accompany the intoxication of intestinal obstruction. The observed depression of function is readily demonstrable even when large amounts of fluid and urea, dye, or salt are injected directly into the blood stream. There is in all probability a temporary injury of the kidney cells, since the most important extrarenal factors have been largely eliminated in the above experiments. There is no appreciable impairment of the renal function following the injection of a number of other proteose preparations from a variety of sources. This study affords new evidence in favor of the view that the function of an organ can be profoundly disturbed for a time without any demonstrable anatomical lesions. The repair of this type of injury promptly follows the disappearance of the intoxication and is functionally and anatomically perfect.