PUS. 95 



obtained, after the evaporation of the acid, and more strikingly 

 on the addition of ammonia, a brilliant purple colour, indicating 

 the presence of uric acid beyond a doubt. On triturating this 

 substance with water I obtained a pulpy mass, which, when exa- 

 mined under the microscope, was found to contain numerous 

 epithelium-cells and pus-corpuscles, but no crystals of uric acid. 

 Alcohol extracted 5'4 of fat, consisting chiefly of margaric and 

 oleic acids, with a little cholesterin; boiling water took up 52'6g, 

 of which a little fat, extractive matters, with hydrochlorate of 

 ammonia and lactate of soda, were soluble in anhydrous alco- 

 hol; and chloride of sodium, extractive matter, and albuminate 

 of soda in spirit. The remainder was washed with cold water, 

 (which extracted very little,) and was then dissolved in a faintly 

 alkaline solution. On the addition of hydrochloric acid to this 

 alkaline solution, crystals of uric acid were deposited, and some 

 albumen thrown down from the albuminate of soda : the acid 

 solution then contained hydrochlorate of ammonia and chloride 

 of sodium. The portion insoluble in water yielded on incinera- 

 tion 5 of ash, consisting of earthy phosphates, with a little 

 peroxide of iron and carbonate of soda ; the dried residue of the 

 liquor puris yielded, however, 10 of ash, composed of carbonate 

 of soda, a little phosphate of soda, carbonate and phosphate of 

 lime, a little chloride of sodium, and traces of peroxide of iron. 

 It contained in 100 parts : 



Analysis 91. 



Portion insoluble in water . . . .47*4 



Fat . . . . .5-4 



Alcohol-extract, with hydrochlorate of ammonia and lactate 



of soda ..... 4*9 



Spirit-extract, with chloride of sodium and albuminate of 



soda . . 17-5 



Uric acid and albumen, combined with ammonia and soda . 17'2 



The amount of the individual salts was not determined. 



I have received, through the kindness of Dr. Piutti, of El- 

 gersburg, two small flasks filled with a white fluid discharged 

 from an abscess on the foot of a gouty patient, who had been 

 trying the water-cure. On standing, the fluid threw down a 

 copious white sediment, the supernatant liquid portion having a 

 reddish tint. When shaken, innumerable crystals might be ob- 

 served with the naked eye, which, under the microscope, ex- 

 hibited an acicular form; a few pus-corpuscles were also present. 



