URINE. 241 



specific gravity, and deposited, after some time, a stratum of 

 transparent mucus. 



In another case in which the inflammation had been brought 

 on in a similar way, the urine was alkaline, had a specific gra- 

 vity of 1022-6, deposited a thick layer of purulent mucus, 

 contained albumen and some fat which was removable by ether, 

 and exhibited pus-corpuscles under the microscope. 



In a third case of acute cystitis, which speedily came to a 

 fatal termination, Becquerel found the urine, at the period of 

 its discharge, turbid, thick, and viscid. On allowing it to stand 

 for some time, there was formed a layer which occupied nearly 

 the lower half of the vessel, and consisted of almost pure and 

 white pus : the fluid above the sediment was pale, clear, and 

 alkaline. 



As the disease terminates in convalescence copious sediments 

 are deposited, or, if a sediment had been formed during the 

 height of the disease, it is now more abundant. 



In arthritic cases the sediment is, according to Schonlein, of 

 a crystalline micaceous appearance; in non-arthritic cases (and 

 in the latter stage, in arthritic cases also,) very bulky mucous 

 sediments occur, which are often tough and fibrous, from the 

 action of carbonate of ammonia. Sediments of this latter form 

 frequently continue for a long time, so as to constitute genuine 

 catarrhus vesicse. Schonlein states, that in cystitis erysipelacea 

 the urine is of a dark reddish-brown colour, mixed with fibrous, 

 flocculentj or bran-like mucus. 



Metritis. 



In acute metritis the urine possesses all the characters of 

 the inflammatory type. Becquerel found it acid, of a reddish 

 colour, of average specific gravity (1018-0 1021-0), and some- 

 times containing albumen. A sediment of uric acid was always 

 thrown down either spontaneously or by the addition of nitric 

 acid : during convalescence it became paler and less dense, and 

 ceased to deposit sediments. The leucorrhcea which accompa- 

 nies metritis, or appears towards the period of convalescence, 

 renders the urine turbid and cloudy. 



In chronic metritis, and in uterine congestion, the urine is 

 much the same, except that the inflammatory signs are less 



ii. 16 



