This discussion on renal function by a multidisciplinary group of experts is devoted largely to the basic physicochemical mechanisms underlying ion exchanges between the fluid compartments of the body, between kidney slices and fluid media, ion transport across surviving frog skin, and movement of water and ions across intestinal epithelium.
While the title of the conference would seem to be only remotely represented in the discussions on the ingenious concepts and experiments on ion transport across various biological membranes, it is obvious that a real comprehension of electrolyte reabsorption and excretion by the kidney will eventually result from such fundamental studies. In this broad sense, renal function is membrane function.
Physicians will be interested primarily in the first chapter, on tissue buffering of acid and alkali and the associated exchanges of hydrogen ion for sodium or potassium, and of chloride for bicarbonate.