The Function of the Kidney When Deprived of Its Nerves

1. By means of vascular suture it is possible to remove the dog's kidney from the body and later to restore it to its former position. 2. Such a kidney is removed from the control of the nervous system, at least for a time. 3. Examination of the function of a kidney so treated shows an initial period of overaction, as compared with that of the normal kidney. 4. This is followed by balanced action. 5. The more recent tests of renal function show that a single, reimplanted kidney is able to maintain normal life indefinitely. 6. The results of these experiments, together with the evidence already at hand, suggest strongly that secretory nerves to the kidney do not exist.