The serum uric acid conen. was detd. by the method of Folin using the Klett Summerson photoelectric colorimeter in a series of 50 patients with essential hypertension. The mean serum uric acid level was 3.65 rag. % with a standard deviation of 0.88. Persistent hyper -uricemia was demonstrated in only 2 patients both of whom showed elevation of the blood NPN and other evidences of severe renal impairment. It was concluded that hyperurice-mia is an uncommon accompaniment of essential hypertension unless the disease is complicated by renal insufficiency.