On the Intimate Structure of the Human Kidney, and on the Changes Which its Several Component Parts Undergo in “Bright's Disease.”

Abstract

PERHAPS no one disease has, during the last twenty years, excited a greater share of attention, or enlisted, in its eluci- dation, a larger amount of professional skill, than that renal affection which is characterized by a secretion of albuminous urine, and commonly known as " Bright's disease."Two circumstances sufficiently explain the importance at- * Previous to entering upon the subject of this paper, it may be permitted me to say a few words respecting the joint labours of Dr. Bright and myself.In the year 1838, having minutely injected a specimen of granular kidney, I perceived that the blood-vessels of the Malpighian tuft were considerably enlarged, and communicated that fact at a meeting of the Westminster Medical Society.Towards the latter end of 1839, I showed Dr. Bright several additional specimens which I had succeeded in preparing in illus- tration of this view, and received from him a promise of opportunities for further experiment.Accordingly, iri the course of 1840, Dr. Bright sent ine specimens, accompanied with notes; and during that and the three following years we procured and injected nearly one hundred kidneys, sub- mitting portions of each to microscopic investigation, and carefilly noting every matter whicb seemed of any importance.'These preparations are * Researches tending to prove the Non-Vascularity and uniform mode of Organization and Nutrition of certain Animal Tissues.