THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE TEMPORARY DYSFUNCTION OF THE KIDNEYS BY PERITONEAL IRRIGATION

Abstract
The occurrence of an acute temporary dysfunction of the kidneys following incompatible transfusions, sulfonamide blockage, massive trauma,acute glomerulonephritis, surgical trauma, toxemia of pregnancy, mercury poisoning, and renal failure following an acute hepatitis, is associated with a tragically high mortality. Any method lending itself to the temporary disposal of the accumulation of toxic substances from the renal failure with the subsequent salvaging of the patient merits the additional report of the use of that method. The method of treatment in the following case report is not original. The case is being reported solely as an addition to the very small series1,2 in the literature of patients salvaged by this form of treatment. However, it does represent the first successful treatment of uremia in a patient with an acute glomerulonephritis following scarlet fever by the application of peritoneal irrigation. Its use may be of value in similar cases. CASE REPORT* J.L.R., Jr., a white male aged 10 years, was admitted to the pediatric service of the St. Joseph's Hospital on April 28, 1947, with the complaint of“rapid breathing, swelling, and pain in his abdomen.” The child's mother stated that he became ill first on March 24, 1947, with scarlet fever. This infection lasted about two weeks. He was kept in bed most of this time and received treatment with sulfadiazine. At the end of the two weeks he returned to school for nine days. On April 23 he complained that he did not feel well. The mother noticed that he