EFFECTS OF MAGNESIA ON URIC ACID. ]^r 



posited at aM tiqaes a consirieruble quantity of that sub^ 

 btanc€, iu the forni of a red powder, and occasionally in 

 larger crystals, ^ 



Nine drachma of subcarbonate of soda, dissolved in water 

 highly irapregnated with carbouic arid, and taken in the 

 course of ihe day at three doses, appeared to have no effect 

 whatever on the formation of uric acid ; the red sarid wa» 

 deposited as usual, and the small calculi continued to form. 



On account of the inefficacy of this niedicine, he was 

 advised to try the vegetable alkali, and three drathms of 

 subcaibonate of potash dissolved in water, slightly im- 

 pregnated with carbonic acid, were taken at similar in- 

 tervals, .zuioriy. 



The deposit of uric acid in the urine was now sotiieWl1i«t 

 diminished ; but during this free use of atkalis, which with 

 little interruption was persevered in for more thanf ayeais 

 the small calculi still continued to be voided. ; ;? 



The magnesia was then tried, fifteen grains being given 

 three times a day in an ounce and half of infusion of gentian. 

 In a week the uric acid was found to have diminshed in 

 quantity, and after the first three weeks it was met ^vith but 

 occasionally. The use of the magnesia was pervsevered in 

 for three months, during which time no calculi were voided, 

 and there was no material deposit in the urine^ *-i^>-Jjta»»KJ^q'. 



This patient was extremely subject to heartbiirn, •and h«.- 

 likewise complained of a sense of ^f eight and uneasiiiess 

 about the region of the stomach, both of which symptoms 

 have disappeared. 



Case 11, A Gentleman, about 40, during four years ^ 2 

 had occasionally voided considerable quantities of uric acid, 

 in the form of red sand, and had once passed a small cal- 

 culus. He took carbonate of soda dissolved in water highly 

 impregnated with carbonic acid for some time; to whicii 

 pure potash was afterward added: but with little effect. * 

 Recourse was then had to magnesia, twenty grains of 

 which, taken niijht and morning, for six weeks, removed all 

 the superabundant uric acid, though he put himself under 

 no unusual restraint in his" mode of livingk < . z , 



Case ill. A gentleman, 43 years of age, after taking q^.^ ^^ 

 v^blent e'xei'cise on horseback, i»a<< seized With^ ^ain intfie 



*^iit<jf] right 



