179 {z1T. 
gendered. If therefore there be any remedies of 
a medical kind, or any system of diet, which, by 
their united effects, can have a tendency to keep 
down the excess of calculous principles below the 
depositing point; or, which, that having once 
been transcended and deposition on a nucleus 
having taken place—are calculated to protect the 
digestive function from further perverted action; 
then the first small concretion may be spontane- 
ously broken up by the returned healthy action, and 
passed away—and the remedies and the regimen 
producing these effects, may truly be entitled anti- 
lithics. It may here be asked, what light chemistry 
has thrown on the proper application of these anti- 
lithics? It is by affording us data in the examina- 
tion of the urine, on which to decide as to the 
presence of one or the other taint, or, as itis — 
. commonly called diathesis. “How can such an ex- 
amination or analysis of the urine dothis? It is by 
development of the existence of the excess which 
is called lithic acid diathesis, or that of the phos 
phatic. And of what use is it to know which of 
these is prevalent? It is by directing us to use 
that set of antilithic remedies suited to remove or 
moderate the one prevailing ; for they require two 
very different kinds of remedies ; and that which 
would cure or moderate the lithic acid taint, would 
increase the phosphatic, and vice versa. In 
other words, some varieties of calculous prin- 
ciples in the urine will be liable to be affected by 
acids, and other calculous principles by alkalies. 
The medicines therefore prescribed as antilithics, 
will cause a cessation of morbid action in the kid- 
nies, or increase that already existing, according 
to the just adaption of the remedy to the prevailing 
taint, or the improper selection of one ill-suited to 
remove “it. Dr. Marcet has observed, that 
Peo a é 
