THE RÔLE OF THE MOVABLE KIDNEY IN INTESTINAL AND VASCULAR STASIS

Speculation is still rife as to the causes of the falling of the viscera from their respective positions in the abdominal space. It is generally admittedthat there is a constitutional type in which there is a symmetrical descent of all the organs, and many observers are agreed that many of the extreme types encountered are due to congenital anomalies or defects. According to Rosengart's theory, congenital splanchnoptosis implies the persistence'of the embryonic positions of all or part of the abdominal viscera, while the acquired forms imply the gradual reversion from normal to fetal positions. Arrest of any abdominal organ at certain stages of fetal development establishes the conditions that determine ptosis, and in order that the right kidney and the ascending colon shall attain their normal positions it is necessary for the colon to pass in front of and across the right kidney, and if this rotatory movement fail and