‘ 
of Urinary Concretions. is cS 
If this conclufion be allowed to be juft, it will be neceffary 
to give a name to this urinary animal oxide. Agreeably to 
the principles of the new chemical nomenclature, the name 
fhould be Jithic oxide. “But the term Jithic is a crofs fole- 
cifm; and I truft that philological critics will find the name 
ouric or uric oxide perfectly appropriate; for, if it be thought 
objectionable, on account of the exiftence of the matter ‘in 
arthritic as well as urinary concretions, ftill philology will 
allow its admiffion, asin other fimilar caufes, war’ efoxnv; 
it being found in greater abundance, by far, in the urinary 
paffages than in other fituations, and therefore falling under 
common obfervation, as an ingredient of the urine. if, how- 
ever, the term lithic oxide, or any other denomination, fhall 
‘obtain acceptance, I fhall very willingly adopt it. 
It requires no fagacity, in a perfon acquainted with the facts 
of the preceding experiments, to perecive that they are appli- 
cable to a variety of ufes in chemical inveftigation, and in the 
practice of phyfic. The latter I of courfe take no notice of in 
this place ; but, relative to the former ufes, I fhall partieu- 
jarly point out, that we are now able not only to deteét, in 
the eafieft manner, the pre/ence of the minuteft proportion of 
the aboye animal oxide in urinary concretions, and alfo in 
other fubftances, but even to determine its proportion to the 
other conftituent parts, in the fpace of a few minutes, in, 
moft cafes, and in all in a very little time, without any other 
apparatus than nitric acid, a round-bottomed matrafs or glais 
difh, and a lamp. By this method,.I have, in a general 
way, examined above 300 fpecimens of concretions, of the 
human fubjeé& and other animals, principally urinary ones ; 
and alfo many from other parts, particularly thofe from the 
joints. For thefe opportunities, I am beholden to feveral 
profeffional gentlemen ; whofe willingnefs to furnifh me with 
fpecimens, I fhall have much fatisfaction in acknowledging 
on a future occafion. At prefent, I muft acknowledge my 
obligations to Mr. Heavifide, in whofe mufeum I found be- 
tween 700 and 800 {pecimens. The liberal poffeffor of this 
K3 treafure 
