MECHANISM OF EDEMA OF THE RENAL TYPE

Abstract

A knowledge of the changes that occur in the water content of the blood during the development and subsidence of edema of the renal type should help to disclose the mechanism of the production of the edema. For example, if the edema is due to an insufficient elimination of water by the kidneys, and this is believed by von Noorden 1 to be a factor at least in some cases, a high content of water in the blood might be expected during the development of edema. If the edema is due to retention of water by the body tissues, as Fischer 2 believes, the water content should presumably be low during the developmental stage (unless one conceives of a concurrent edema of the blood), and should approach a normal or higher than normal level just preceding and during diuresis and loss of edema. Likewise, if Epstein's 3 theory is correct,