Abstract
Summary
The edema produced in the rat by ligation of the inferior vena cava and voluntary intake of 1% NaCl solution is studied as altered by adrenalectomy and nephrectomy. (1) The obligatory role of NaCl in the formation of edema fluid is reemphasized. (2) The venous congestion produced by ligation of the inferior vena cava is not a sufficient stimulus to cause edema formation in the nephrectomized rat, but does cause edema if the animal is nephrectomized and adrenalectomized. (3) Under these conditions, it is demonstrated that the kidney does not play an obligatory role in the formation of the edematous state in the adrenalectomized rat. (4) The evidence supplied by these experiments is discussed in relationship to the role of the adrenal cortex in conditions exhibiting generalized edema (congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome).
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