8 



URINE. 

 VOLUME, SPECIFIC GRAVITY, AND TOTAL SOLIDS. 



The data in the case of the direct administration ofthe preservative 

 (Nos. 1 to 6) show an increase in the volume of the urine excreted, 

 accompanied by a slight decrease in its specific gravity and practically 

 no change in the amount of solids excreted. The same condition 

 prevails in the case of the indirect administration, though it is less 

 marked during the preservative period and more so in the after 

 period. 



There is in general, therefore, a tendency to slight diuresis and a 

 decrease in specific gravity under the administration of the preserva- 

 tive, while practically no effect is produced on the excretion of total 

 solids. It is interesting to note the connection between these increases 

 in volume of urine excreted and the losses in body weights. The 

 increase in volume for Nos. 1 to 6 and the decrease in weight occur 

 during the preservative period, while for Nos. 7, 10, 11, and 12 these 

 conditions are both more marked in the after period. 



ALBUMIN AND REACTION. 



From the somewhat limited data at hand no definite conclusions 

 can be drawn regarding the presence of albumin in the urine or the 

 acidity of the urine. There is, however, in a few instances an apparent 

 tendency to produce albumin, and in general during the administra- 

 tion of the formaldehyde there is a tendency to decrease the normal 

 acidity. Considering the action of formaldehyde in general on 

 secretions, especially the digestive secretions, this observation is in 

 accordance with that of others who have shown that changes in the 

 gastric juice are accompanied by corresponding changes in the acidity 

 of the urine, an increased secretion of acid producing a decrease 

 in the acidity of the urine. These two conditions have an important 

 physiological bearing on the normal functions of the body, and such 

 a derangement must be regarded as harmful or at least as leading 

 to harmful results. 



CHANGES IN THE RELATIVE EXCRETION OF SULPHUR COMPOUNDS. 



In the case of the direct administration of the preservative there is 

 a slight tendency manifested to derange the normal relations of the 

 compounds of sulphur excreted during the preservative period. 

 There is a decrease in the neutral sulphur amounting to a little over 

 1 per cent of the total sulphur eliminated and a slight increase in the 



[Cir. 42] 



