la THE MICROSCOPE. 



assimilation are imperfect. When this condition exists the urine 

 contains a variety of crystals whose form and composition can be 

 detemined only by the strong power of a microscope. The following 

 is a brief history of one fof many similar cases met by the practi- 

 tioner: Mr.'W. McM., aet. 32, of Barry Co., Mich., consulted me in 

 September last in regard to a dull pain in the lumbar region from 

 which he had suffered more or less for two years, a part of which 

 time he had been unable to attend to his daily duties. He stated 

 that during thi.s time several old physicians, whose diplomas, if they 

 had any, antedated the use of the microscope in medicine, had 

 treated him for "Bright's disease, rheumatism of the kidney, kidney 

 disease" etc. As no analvses of his urine had been made, he was 



Crystals of oxalate of lime, octahedral form. .\ 250. 



directed to collect a 24 hour's specimen. On examination the 

 quantity, specific gravity, and reaction were found to be about nor- 

 mal. The chemical tests gave negative results. \ drop placed 

 under the microscope showed no casts, i)ut the field was full of 

 oxalates of calcium, of the octahedral form. 



Tnis was indicative that the patient was suffering from a con- 

 dition known as oxaluria. He was prescribed nitro-muriatic acid 

 and tonics, and in a few weeks the diagnosis was verified by the 

 disappearance of all his former troubles. i'he crystals as seen in 

 this specimen were well defined octahedra of various sizes. As 



