2G8 



matter in urine, I was determined to make the following 

 experiment. To a considerable quantity of it, desiccated 

 and well edulcorated with distilled water, Avere added three 

 ounces of a weak alkaline lixivium; Avhich, after a few hours 

 digestion, completel}' discoloured it, acquired a golden j'cl- 

 low colour, a sweetish taste, and, on the addition of a 

 few drops of dilute marine acid, precipitated a copious 

 sediment of whitish minute needle-shaped cr3'^stals, of a 

 silky appearance. 



To this precipitate, well edulcorated, was added, by de- 

 grees, about one ounce of weak nitrous acid, which acted 

 on it, with effervescence, and nearly took up the whole. 

 This solution, being set to evaporate, began to redden the 

 fingers, and other animal matters; no doubt, therefore, 

 could subsist, as to its nature. To the remainder, which 

 seemed very little diminished, and only deprived of co- 

 lour, were added two ounces of dilute marine acid; which, 

 after some time in digestion, nearly dissolved the whole: 

 and, finding this acid solution precipitate with lime- 

 water, oxalt of ammonia, and fixed alkali, it must have 

 been phosphat of lime. This forms, then, by far the 

 largest proportion of the gouty sediment, Avhich is colour- 

 ed by the precipitated uric acid. Such, also, is the result 

 of Crookshank's experiments; and so we should expect to 

 find it, as I shall endeavour to point out, on a future oc- 

 casion. 



Let us now consider, how far these analytical results 

 may be confirmed, in the synthetic way; having resolved, 



that 



