EFFECTS OF MAGNESIA ON URIC ACID. 13J 



drachm at nine o'clock in the morning, the urine voided 

 ot twelve o'clock bectime slightly turbid : at three o'clock 

 the effect of the magnesia was at its maximum, and a dis- 

 tinct reparation of the phosphates took place, partly in the 

 form of a film, which when examined was found to be the 

 triple phosphate of ammonia and magnesia, and partly in 

 thestatie of awhile powder, consisting almost entirely of the 

 triple phosphate and phosphate of lime. 



The effect of large doses of magnesia, in producing a 

 white sediment in the urine, is very commonly known, and 

 has b^en erroneously attributed to the magnesia pasising off 

 by the kidnies. 



These experiments show, that magnesia, even in very 

 large doses, neither produces so rapid an effect upon the 

 urine, nor so copious a separation of the phosphates, as the 

 alkalis; on this its value as a remedy in calculous disorders 

 seems materially to depend. 



Experimmt 4. On Lime, 



Two ounces of lime water, taken in the morning upon Action of lima 

 an empty stomach, with a cup of milk and water, produced °" ^^® """®- 

 nd effect whatever. ^ 



A pint of lime water, taken at four intervals of an hour 

 each, {)roduced a slight deposition of the phosphates at the 

 end of the fifth hour. The arine voided at the third hour 

 was n6t at all affected ; at the fifth hour, the effect appear- 

 ed at its height, but was not nearly so distinct as from small 

 doses of soda, notwithstanding the insoluble compounds, 

 which lime might be expected to form with the acids in the 

 u»ine. , ' 



The unpleasant taste of lime water, the qU^rttity in 

 which it requires to be taken, on account of the small pro- 

 portion of the earth which is held in solution, and the un- 

 certainty of its effect, are circumstances which render it of 

 little use, excepting in some very rare cases, where it has 

 been found to agree particularly well with the stoiuachi • 



The effect of carbonate of lime upon the urine was much Action of 

 less distinct than that of lime water : at times it produced no chalk ou th* 



xY L 1 I ■• • 1 ' 1- 1 urine, 



ettect, but when taken in very large doses, a slight deposi- 

 tion of the phosphates was produced. 



K 2 Tliese 



