241 



body;' and may, of course, sometimes exceed in quantity, 

 and, at other times, be more deficient; which last circum- 

 stance seems to take place, during the continuance of acixte 

 diseases. . -u' 



That a morbidly increased secretion does frequently 

 occur, and that, too, independent of external causes, we 

 have the most satisfactory proof of, in the hereditary dispo- 

 sitions of many families to this complaint. And, indeed, 

 when we consider the same to take place, relatire to the 

 functions, and secretions of the iiy^, xt& must not be sup^ 

 prised at similar deviations in those of the kidneys. Here^; 

 truly, they are of more mischievous tendency, as, from the 

 very sparing solubility of the uric acid, (even in its own 

 natural menstruum,) the smallest excess in quantity must 

 subject it to precipitation. 



Having premised these necessary considerations, I shall 

 proceed to enquire into those circumstances, which the 

 experience and observation of all times liave pointed out 

 to us, as the most frequent occasional .causes of these 

 maladies; and haw far these opinions may be confirmed 

 by experiments, instituted . for. that .purpose. 



And first. It is a matter of nbtoriety, that the period 

 of life, from infancy to about fifteen inclusive, is most 

 subject to disorders of this kind. 



Of this practical observation, we have an interesting 

 confirmation, inserted in the second volume of the Me- 

 moires of the French National Institute, Mathematical and 

 Physical Sciences, year 7. Under the former happy re- 



^ gime, 



