DIABETES INSIPIDUS

Abstract

It is now well known that the pituitary gland is involved in the production of polydipsia and polyuria, but the explanation for the various pathologic changes reported to produce this symptom complex was not forthcoming until fairly recently. Fisher, Ingram and Ranson¹ made such a complete review of the literature and so excellent a presentation of experimental data that little, if any, information can be added along these lines. However, because of the complexity of the problem, the more important steps which led to the explanation of diabetes insipidus are briefly reviewed. In addition, the important aspects of 42 cases of diabetes insipidus at the University Hospital are presented. It is not intended that other, multiple factors in water balance be belittled, although they are outside the scope of this paper. HISTORICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BACKGROUND It was not until 1913 that von den Velden² and Farini,³ working