Prof. E. D. Smith on Caleulous Affections. 307 
ced in them by the long continued use of particular sub- 
stances. Thus, although a tendency to form urie calculi 
indicates the propriety of using alkaline remedies, it is cer- 
tainly of consequence what peculiar alkalies are employed 
and a judicious selection can proceed only from an acquaint- 
ance with the specific and distinguishing properties of each. 
May it not be apprehended that a want of due attention to this 
subject has retarded the progress of medicai science, and 
ought not any opinion in favour of such neglect, to be com- 
batted as a dangerous error? 
3. From the | knowledge of the composition of urine and 
of urinary calculi, should not even the really scientific phy- 
sician proceed with caution in the use of his remedies? 
‘This query is connected with the fact, that not only do dif- 
ferent calculous affections require distinct and totally oppo- 
site remedies, but also on another circumstance. A reme- 
dy, which is demanded in a certain state of things, may, 
by its too long continuance, not only counteract the evil, 
which it was intended to do, but it may produce an oppo- 
site and equally injurious state. In such a case the chem- 
ical knowledge of the prescriber could alone direct the 
course, that should be pursued. From the analyses of 
healthy urine it appears to be granted that rien it is first 
voided, an acid character predominates, is believed 
that a certain degree of this predominance is me 
the purpose of holding i in, solution the various neutral salts, 
with whick the urine is charged; now, if this be the fact, it 
ig easy to conceive that an increased quantity of this acid 
will occasion disease of one kind, and a diminished propor- 
tion that of another. 
If therefore, in the attempt to remove the former state, 
the remedies employed, be eased - far, there can be no 
doubt that the latter would be induce 
To possess then the knowledge, oe would be. requisite 
emennerts in equilibrium these easily alternating 
ditions of the system, as also to select the. preferable a 
dy prea determinate class, ania be et adv 
if not _ Numero im: 
nents, connected 
"with this ysbhieets have induced Mr. Brande (London Medi 
cal and P cs pose ae Yel: a to es the follonins 
therapeutical conclu 
