An Experimental Study of the Late Glomerular Lesions Caused by Crotalus Venom

The acute exudative glomerular lesion of the rabbit's kidney caused by crotalus venom does not lead to a subacute or chronic glomerulonephritis. The hemorrhagic lesion of the glomerular tuft may show a process of repair characterized by the ingrowth, into the hemorrhagic masses, of endothelial cells from the uninjured part of the tuft. This process is, however, more analogous to the organization of a red thrombus than it is to any form of glomerular lesion known in man, and can hardly serve as an experimental demonstration of the mode of development of a subacute or chronic glomerular nephritis. On the other hand, crotalus venom causes a persistent albuminuria and extensive tubular degeneration and cast formation, with death, preceded by great emaciation, after five to six weeks.