316 THE SECRETIONS: 



acid and deposited uric acid combined with a large amount of 

 bile-pigment as an amorphous, yellowish-brown, flocculent 

 mass. The development of the acid (lactic, according to 

 Scherer) proceeded rapidly, and in the course of twenty-four 

 hours the yellow colour of the urine became converted into 

 a blackish green. The deposition of the sediment and the 

 change of colour could be more speedily induced by the addi- 

 tion of a few drops of acetic or hydrochloric acid to the fresh 

 urine. The specific gravity was 1018, and in 1000 parts there 

 were 42*5 of solid residue, including only 4*3 parts of urea, 

 while there were no less than 1-8 of uric acid. In the course 

 of ten weeks he had much improved, and was able to take ex- 

 ercise in the open air. The solid constituents were then re- 

 duced to 35-6, and the uric acid to 0-6, while the urea rose to 

 12-4. The urine of this patient contained a large quantity of 

 silica.] 



Hysteria. 



In attacks of hysteria the urine is often, but not invariably, 

 remarkable for its clear limpid appearance, and for the extremely 

 small quantity of solid constituents which it contains : in fact, 

 it is sometimes very like common water. 



Becquerel observes that, in nervous attacks, the urine is not 

 always spastic and secreted in large quantity, but that it some- 

 times resembles the normal secretion, and in certain cases he 

 even found it deeply coloured, of high specific gravity, loaded 

 with uric acid, and occasionally depositing a sediment. 



He observed similar variations in the urine at the commence- 

 ment of an attack of hemicrania. 



Nysten mentions an analysis of nervous urine, which was 

 perfectly limpid, had an acid reaction, contained more urea 

 than the urina potus, but, on the other hand, less uric acid and 

 salts. According to Hollo, urea and the organic constituents 

 are wanting in spasmodic urine, and it contains only the ordi- 

 nary salts. 



In cramp of the stomach, Gmelin found the urine darker 

 than usual; it contained bile-pigment, which was, however, 

 somewhat modified, since on being precipitated with hydro- 

 chloric acid, and being again dissolved in potash, it gave a beau- 

 tiful red with nitric acid, without previously going through the 

 green and blue tints. 



