Application of Homeostatic Principles to the Management of Nephritic Patients

Abstract

THE neuroendocrine-renal homeostatic mechanisms keep the water and electrolyte content of the body within physiologic limits by adjusting the urinary output of water and solutes in accordance with homeostatic needs. The functional capacity of these mechanisms normally is so large that healthy persons can vary their intake of foodstuffs and fluids over a wide range without suffering grossly perceptible metabolic disturbances. By contrast, the homeostatic capacity of patients with marked impairment of renal function may become so reduced that the intake of food and fluids must be kept within certain relatively narrow limits if water and solute intoxication and depletion . . .