THE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY. 199 



probable that the kidneys, owing to a diseased condition, are not excreting 

 the proper amount of solids. 



Color. — The color of normal urine may range from pale yellow to red- 

 dish brown ; generally it is denominated as a pale yellow or amber-hued 

 liquid. 



Acid urine is usually darker than such of alkaline reaction. Foreign 

 coloring matter, such as Biliary pigments, Blood coloring matter (Haemo- 

 globin), etc., may cause urine to assume a variety of colors. These con- 

 ditions, of course, are abnormal. 



Ingested food or medicaments also influence the color of urine ; thus 

 Santonin produces a yellow urine, Log-wood a red-colored urine, etc. 

 Phenols often cause a change in color which only becomes apparent some 

 time after elimination. Black urine sometimes accompanies the disease 

 known as Melanotic Sarcoma. 



Optical Properties. — Most samples of normal urine are optically active 

 and are fluorescent, .the plane of polarized light being turned to the left. 



Pale yellow urine exhibits a blue fluorescence, reddish yellow urine 

 fluoresces green or yellow; while albumen, if present in urine, causes it to 

 fluoresce more intense. Ammoniacal urine fluoresces stronger than unde- 

 composed urine. 



Odor — Normal urine is said to possess an aromatic odor, which is 

 caused by the presence of minute traces of certain organic acid (Phenylic, 

 Taurylic, etc). The intensity of such odor varies much even in case of 

 normal urine, depending on its concentration. Certain drugs, such as 

 Cubebs, Oil of Turpentine, etc., impart, when taken into the system, their 

 characteristic odor to the urine. 



Pathologically, urine often possesses a decided ammoniacal odor, due to 

 decomposition, and if voided in this state often affords a clue to certain 

 diseases. 



Quantity. — The average quantity passed during 24 hours by a healthy 

 adult is about 1500 cc. (50 fluid ounces) or about 60-65 cc - P er hour. 

 This quantity, within the limits of health fluctuates considerably in the 

 same individual at different times, and in different individuals. Most 

 urine is passed in the afternoon, least at night. Loss of liquid through 

 other channels (Diaphoresis or Diarrhoea) diminishes the quantity. 



Ingestion of large quantities of liquids increases the amount eliminated. 

 Pathologically, urine may be increased or diminished in quantity, or even 

 suppressed. 



Normal urine when exposed to air undergoes certain changes which 

 often in pathological urine have already taken place in the bladder. The 

 changes may briefly be summed up as follows: First, ammoniacal fer- 

 mentation, which is caused- by the action of certain micro-organisms on 

 urea, resulting in the formation of ammonium carbonate (NH 2 — CO — NH 2 

 + 2H 2 = (NH 4 ) 2 C0 3 ). This change causes the urine to assume a lighter 

 color and a precipitate consisting of normal alkali earth phosphates, am- 

 monio-magnesium phosphate, ammonium urate and calcium oxalate often 

 appears. Second, fermentative changes resulting in the reduction of ni- 

 trates to nitrites, and the formation of sulphuretted hydrogen. Third, 

 other fermentions notably such as result in the formation of acetic acid 

 and other volatile fatty acids. The latter two are not frequent. 



To be Continued. 



