OBSERVATIONS UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF AN ANTIDIURETIC SUBSTANCE IN THE URINE OF PATIENTS WITH PRE-ECLAMPSIA AND ECLAMPSIA

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Abstract
Concentrates prepared from the urine (method given) of pre-eclamptic and eclamptic patients during the phase of acute water retention exert marked antidiuretic effects upon water diuresis in rats. This is true of urine of eclamptic patients collected after giving 1400 cc. water by mouth. Concentrates from urine of normally pregnant patients during the last trimester and at term exert little or no antidiuretic effect. If normally pregnant patients are sufficiently dehydrated the urine contains amts. of antidiuretic substance comparable to that of pre-eclamptic and eclamptic patients. The antidiuretic principle from urine of eclamptic and pre-eclamptic women resembles pituitrin. It offers an immediate mechanism for the water retention of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.