Abstract
Quantitative determinations of the blood-flow through the left kidney were made with the aid of the stromuhr of Burton-Opitz. On stimulation of the central end of the sciatic nerve, a slight decrease in the vascularity of this organ was observed. This decrease apparently followed a tonic contraction of the blood vessels and not a true constriction as is produced, for example, by stimulation of the corresponding splanchnicus major. It seemed to be merely a tonic reaction of the kidney against the high systemic blood pressure which follows stimulation of the sciatic.
Similarly, the application of cold compresses across the back in the region of the kidneys, reduced the blood-flow through this organ, while hot compresses increased the flow. As the temperature of the organ itself, or of the tissues in its immediate vicinity, was not changed by the compress, these variations in the vascularity of the kidney must have been produced reflexly.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.