628 METABOLISM 



Creatine appears in the urine in phosphorus poisoning, in carcinoma of 

 the liver and during postpartum involution of the uterus. It is not de- 

 rived from the disappearing uterine muscle, however, for creatinuria also 

 occurs after cesarean section with removal of the uterus. Creatine 

 elimination is not an index of cellular destruction, for it has been found 

 large in a dog injected with phlorhizin and maintained in constant weight 

 by feeding with washed meat (S. R. Benedict). Muscular fatigue also 

 leaves the creatine content of muscle unchanged. In late stages of 

 nephritis, creatinine accumulates in the blood and serves as an index of 

 the gravity of the condition (page 651). 



