FAIRLY SATISFACTORY methods of treatment are available for combating anuria resulting from obstructive and external causes.1 Therefore the present discussion will be limited to the treatment of those patients with previously adequate renal function in whom anuria developed abruptly as the result of intrarenal lesions. This clinical situation is encountered with increasing frequency because reactions from transfusions of incompatible blood, crush injuries and the intrarenal complications of sulfonamide therapy produce this type of anuria.
As a result of the study of 9 anuric patients, I believe that death from anuria usually is due to the disorganization of the structure of the internal environment and not to the accumulation of urea or hypothetic toxins. Therefore the rational approach is to preserve the normal volume and composition of the body fluids.
In the presence of anuria and in the absence of intake of food and fluids, the volume of body water will