Magnesia, in Calculous Complaints, 9 



skier, that the generality of calculous complaints- might 

 possibly be prevented, by introducing into the stomach, 

 such substances as are capable of preventing the formation 

 of uric acid, and that this mode of treatment would have 

 many advantages over the usual method, which consists in 

 attempting to dissolve the uric acid after it is formed. 



He consulted Mr. Uatchett on the substance most likely 

 to produce this effect, and asked if magnesia, from its in- 

 solubility in water, was not well adapted for the purpose, 

 as it wuuld remain in the stomach, until it idiould combine 

 with any acid, or be carried along with the food towards 

 the pylorus. 



Mr. Hatchett knew of nothing more likely to produce 

 the desired effect; and on putting this theory to the lest of 

 experiment, it was found by a very careful examination of 

 the urine, that in several instances where there was an in- 

 creased formation of uric acid, magnesia diminished it in 

 a much greater, degree than had been effected by the use, 

 and that a very liberal one, of the alkalies in the same 

 patient. 



This circumstance led Mr. Home to wish for a more . 

 'complete investigation of the subject,, and he requested 

 me to assist him in the* prosecution of it. Since that time 

 many opportunities have occurred of carrying on the in- 

 quiry du.mg. an attendance on patients labouring under 

 calculous complain; s. 



It is proposed to lay the results of our joint labours be- 

 fore this society, with a view to establish a fact of so much 

 imnortauce in the treatment of those diseases. 



Fhe four foilowmg cases include the principal varieties 

 of the disorder, which have been met with, and are there- 

 fore selected from among many others, to prevent unne- 

 cessary repetitions. In each of them the urine was occa- 

 sionally Carefully analysed 



Cask I. 



A gentleman, sixty years of age, who had been in the 

 fcabit of induVmg in the free use of acid liquors, had re- 

 peatedly passed small calculi composed entirely of uric 

 acid; his unne .immediately after being voided, depositee! 

 at all th.ies a considerable quantity of that substance, in 

 the form of a red powder, and occasionally in large 

 crystals. 



Nine drachms of snbearbonate of soda, dissolved in wa- 

 ter highly impregnated with carbonic acid, and tak< n in 

 <he course oi the day at three doses, appeared to have no 



effect 



