UKINE IN DISEASE. 25 



alkali present in the urine was volatile. The red colour 

 will, on the contrary, not reappear if the alkalinity has been 

 caused by the fixed alkalies. The experiment may also be 

 tried with turmeric paper, which will assume a brown colour 

 when dipped into ammoniacal urine, and the brown colour 

 of which will disappear on heating. 



The chemical views which have been explained in the pre- 

 ceding passages throw important light on the treatment of 

 such cases. We must evidently secure the complete evacua- 

 tion of the ammoniacal urine, by drawing it off with a ca- 

 theter, or by washing out the bladder if the animal cannot 

 by its own efforts effectually empty its bladder. We must 

 bring about a healthy condition of the mucous membrane of 

 the bladder, and this is done by the use of certain internal 

 remedies, and we must, lastly, pay attention to the condition 

 of the urine as secreted from the kidneys. 



When there exists an evident disease in the bladder, which 

 causes it to secrete matters which act as ferments, or where 

 a stricture of the urethra exists, and by causing retention of 

 the urine for a long time, has induced alkalinity of the urine, 

 we may confine our attention to these organs; our treat- 

 ment may be local. There are some cases which seem to 

 depend on an excessively acid character of the urine when 

 first secreted, so that, when poured into the bladder, it causes 

 great irritation, gives rise to a secretion of mucus which 

 causes fermentation of the urea, and thus, indirectly, the acid 

 urine becomes an alkaline. Such cases are best treated by 

 alkaline remedies, as by the acetates and carbonates of 

 potash and soda. 



Having discussed the methods of ascertaining the specific 

 gravity and re-action of the urine, we should gladly review 

 in succession the changes which the several urinary consti- 

 tuents undergo in disease, as they undoubtedly do; but the 



