The Microscope. 361 



In 1884 a method was discovered by Emil Fischer of Ei'langen, by 

 which crystals of peculiar form and yellow color could be obtained 

 in urine containing sugar. These crystals consisted of Phenylglu- 

 coazone, a substance formed by the union of Phenylhydrazin and 

 grape-sugar. At the clinic of Prof. Ultzmann in Vienna, he had 

 seen a reliable test used, a modification of this method much simpler 

 than any yet published. Dr. Bond had obtained some of the phenyl 

 salt and on his return tested carefully the value of this method. 

 He thought the result ranked with the best of the reduction tests, 

 and in some respects, indeed, perhaps in all respects, excelled in 

 usefulness all tests heretofore known. The crystals which he showed 

 under the microscope were yellow needles seen readily by a low 

 power, and possessing a peculiar tendency to gi'oup themselves into 

 sheaf-like forms. He exhibited also some crystals formed from milk- 

 sugar, by this same method, which were somewhat similar in form 

 and color to those from grape-sugar, but grouped themselves 

 diflPerently. In the 



DISCUSSION 



which followed, Dr. Bond replied to questions asked by Drs. East- 

 man, E. M. Schaeffer, Culbreth, Wilson, Canfield and the Pi'esident, 

 by saying that if sugar were present in large amount the yellow 

 crystals could be seen as a yellow deposit, with the unaided eye, but 

 in cases where only a small quantity of sugar was present the urine 

 was allowed to stand, and the crystals were drawn up by a pipette 

 and examined microscopically. He also stated that in his experience 

 the test failed to show the trace of grape-sugar said to be physiolog- 

 ically present in all urine by V. Briicke and Bence Jones. 



Dr. Wm. B. Canfield exhibited a specimen of Ax'gyria with the 

 following history: A patient in the Vienna Greneral Hospital had 

 been taking for a long time the nitrate of silver for locomotor ataxia. 

 He subsequently died and at the post-mortem a section of the kidney 

 was made by him and stained with haematoxylin and rosin. The 

 tubules and interstitial structure appeared normal, but the glomeruli 

 were black, which was probably due to the deposit of metallic silver 

 or oxide of silver in the bloodvessels. He also exhibited a specimen 

 of cystin crystals which were obtained from a patient of Dr. Chris- 

 topher Johnson's. The crystals had been made by dissolving the 

 sediment in ammonia and allowing it to crystallize in a water-bath. 

 They were interesting as being remarkably well formed and also on 

 account of the rarity of crystinuria. 



