262 



EXPERIMENT XII. 



As the nitrous acid is one of the most active solvents 

 of this matter, out of the body, I was curious to ascer- 

 tain, whether, in the very dilute state in which it must 

 reach the kidneys and bladder, (where its action must have 

 been facilitated, by the actual state of solution of this 

 substance,) it would manifest its powers, in preventing its 

 separation. 



To three ounces of urine, I'endered a few hours after 

 breakfast, and, of course, scarcely acid, were added five 

 drops of weak nitrous acid; which did not seem to add 

 very materially to its acescent properties. 



Tb a similar quantity Atere added four scruples of ace- 

 tous acid. In less than an hour, the former deposited a 

 distinct quantity of gravelly matter, in considerable pro- 

 portion. This, perhaps, we should not be surprised at, 

 when we consider how the action of this acid, in that 

 fluid, may be determined by superior affinity. In the lat- 

 ter, the separation did not take place for a considerable 

 time after. We see, then, that the nitrous acid speedily 

 and powerfully precipitates this acid substance. 



EXPERIMENT XTII. 



To six ounces of urine, shcAving a strong acescent qua- 

 lity, were added only three drops ' of strong marine acid'. 



A cloudiness 



