Studies In

A striking feature of Bence-Jones proteinuria is the free passage of large quantities of the protein through a kidney which holds back the normrd serum proteins. Most previous investigators have found the kidney of animals impervious to the Bence-Jones protein, although Boggs and Guthriel found that sometimes rabbits excreted it after intravenous injection. We injected subcutaneously 40 cc. of BenceJones urine into each of two dogs, weighing respectively 8 and 9.5 kilos. All urine passed during the following 3 days was entirely free from protein of any kind (ferrocyanide and acetic acid, heat, HCI). On the 3rd day one of the dogs was etherized and into the femoral vein were injected 30 cc. of Bence-Jones urine. The urine of this dog for the next 2 days showed no protein of any kind. The amounts of Bence-Jones urine taken for injection represented in each instance a little more than 1 gm. of the protein. To try the effect of larger quantities we etherized a 14 kilo dog and injected into a vein of the leg 5 gm. of Bence-Jones protein dissolved in 200 cc. of slightly alkaline Ringer’s solution. The urine of this dog before injection showed just a trace of albumin; but as this is not uncommon in dogs and as the animal was strong, active, and apparently perfectly well, we did not reject him on that account. When coming out of the ether the animal urinated, and again about 20 minutes later. Both of these urines were entirely similar to that obtained before injec-