394. A Memoir on the Urie Acid. 
in urinary calculi, is not merely a product of 
disease, but is constantly present in the urine, 
even in its most healthy condition.* Some- 
times, from urine which had been voided a 
few hours, he observed it to be deposited in 
small crystals ; or, when the separation did 
not take place spontaneously, he found that 
it might be produced by evaporating the 
urine to one fourth, or one third of its bulk. 
Bergman confirmed the experiments of 
Scheele,(f) and their united authority was 
deemed sufficient by the framers of the 
French nomenclature, (g) to entitle the newly 
discovered substance to a distinct place among 
the acids. Having been originally obtained 
from the stone of the bladder, they derived the 
name of Lithic Acid, from the Greek word 
aidos, lapis. 
* The uric acid was till lately supposed to be peculiar to 
he urine of the human species. (Ann. de Chim. xvi. 166.) 
Mr. Brande, however, has found it in the urine of the 
camel, but not in that of other animals that feed chiefly 
on vegetables. (Phil. Trans. 1806, p. 373.) And Dr. 
Wollaston bas found that it forms a considerable part of 
the urine of birds, which is voided along with their dung, 
especially of such as aie carnivorous. (Phil. Trans. 1810. 
p- 229.) 
(f) Act, Stockh. an. 1776, Opusc. Phys. et Chem. 
viv. 387, f 
(g) Methode de Nomenclature, 1787. 
