126 EFFECTS OF MAGNESIA 05 URIC ACIO. 



AYoidcdbypre- diac portion into the circulation of the bloo(3*, led hi^m to 

 lormatlLn^of consider, that the generality of calculous complaints might 

 Mricacid. possibly be prevented by introducing- into the stonnach such 



substancefe, as are capable of preventing the foniiation" of 

 uric acid; and that this uiode of treatment would have 

 many advantages over the usual method, which consists in 

 attempting to dissolve the uric acid after it is formed. 

 Magnesia He consulted Mr. Hatchett on the substance most likely 



pwpose*^*^"^ to produce this effect, and asked if magnesia, from its inso- 

 lubility in water, was not well adapted for the purpose, as it 

 \»©uld remain in the stomach, until it should combine with 

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

 pylorus. 



Mr. Hatchet knew of nothing more likely to produce the 

 desired *^ffect ; and on putting this theory to the test of ex- 

 periment, it was found Vjy a very careful examination of 

 «ssl:iownby the urine, that in several instances, where there was an in- 

 ejcpenende, creased formation of uric acid, magnesia diminished it in a 

 much greuter degree, than had been effected by the use, 

 and that a very liberalone,of thealkalisi in thesame-patiefit. 

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

 plete investigation of the subject, and he requested me to 

 aissist him in the prosecution of it. Since that time many 

 opportunities have occurred of carrying on the inquiry 

 on several oc- *^^*'''"» ^"^ attendance on patients, labouring under calculous 

 qasions. complaints. 



It is proposed to lay the results of our joint labours ber 

 fore this Society, with a view to establish a ftict oiiso much 

 importance in the treatment of th^se diseases. • I? ^ ■ n 



The four following cases include the princi^l'varietiiei 

 of the disorder, which have been met with, and are therefofc 

 selected from among many others, to prevent unnecessary 

 repetitions. In each of them the urine was occasionally 

 carefully analysed. w fiiswiocr «>tw< 



Istcare. Case I, A gentleman, sixty years of age, who had' bewi*' 



in the habit of indulging in the free use of acid liquors, 

 had repeatedly passed small calculi composed entirely of 

 uric acidj his urine, irnmediately after being voided, de» 



.♦ «iP«j|^jr*ans. ^€08. See JournaljOYol.XX, p.S74,aiwl XXI, 103. 

 .' i ' posited 



