URINE. 3l 



at least, similar to that of the cylindroids (see page 359). The 

 urine first voided in the morning is best adapted for the examination 

 for filaments. These filaments may ordinarily be removed by a 

 pipette since they are generally macroscopic. 



Tissue Debris. Masses of cells or fragments of tissue are fre- 

 quently found in the urinary sediment. They may be found in the 

 sediment in tubercular affections of the kidney and urinary tract 

 or in tumors of these organs. Ordinarily it is necessary to make a 

 histological examination of such tissue fragments before coming 

 to a final decision as to their origin. 



Animal Parasites. The cysts, booklets and membrane shreds 

 of echinococci are sometimes found in the urinary sediments. 

 Other animal organisms which are more rarely met with in the 

 urine are embryos of the Filaria sanguinis and eggs of the Distoma 

 hcematobium and Ascarides. Animal parasites in general occur 

 most frequently in the urine in tropical countries. 



Micro-Organisms. Bacteria as well as yeasts and moulds are 

 frequently detected in the urine. Both the pathogenic and non- 

 pathogenic forms of bacteria may occur. The non-pathogenic 

 forms most frequently observed are micrococcus urea, bacillus 

 urea, and staphylococcus urea liquefaciens. Of the pathogenic 

 forms many have been obsrved, e. g., Bacterium Coli, typhoid ba- 

 cillus, tubercle bacillus, gonococcus, bacillus pyocyaneus and proteus 

 vulgaris. Yeast and moulds are most frequently met with in dia- 

 betic urine. 



Fibrin. Following hsematuria, fibrin clots are occasionally ob- 

 served in the urinary sediment. They are generally of a semi- 

 gelatinous consistency and of a very light color, and when examined 

 under the microscope they are seen to be composed of bundles of 

 highly refractive fibers which run parallel. 



Foreign Substances Due to Contamination. Such foreign 

 substances as fibers of silk, linen or wool; starch granules, hair, fat 

 and sputum, as well as muscle fibers, vegetable cells and food par- 

 ticles are often found in the urine. Care should be taken that 

 these foreign substances are not mistaken for any of the true sedi- 

 mentary constituents already mentioned. 



