604 OP SECRETION AND EXCRETION. 



and others are being successively determined. Thus Stadeler has shown that 

 the " extractive" of the Urine of the Cow contains a peculiar azotized compound, 

 and several volatile non-azotized acids, analogous to, and in one instance abso- 

 lutely identical with, the products of the imperfect oxidation of wood or coal. 1 

 And Prof. Ronalds has shown that the " extractive" of Human urine ordinarily 

 contains a sulphurized and a phosphorized compound, which serve for the excre- 

 tion of sulphur and phosphorus in an unoxidized state. 2 The Urine- Pigment, 

 again, has been to a certain extent separated as a definite compound from the "ex- 

 tractive," especially by the researches of Heller ( 64). On the whole, we may 

 say that with the exception of Creatine and Creatinine, all the known consti- 

 tuents of the " Urinary extractive" are substances which are rich in carbon and 

 comparatively poor in nitrogen ; so that their increase will be favored by an ex- 

 cess of carbonaceous food, an imperfect action of the liver, and a low degree of 

 respiration; 3 whilst, on the other hand, a highly azotized diet, especially if com- 

 bined with active exercise, will tend to their reduction. This view is confirmed 

 by the results of Prof. Lehmann's experiments, which were performed with a 

 view to determine the influence of diet upon the constitution of the Urine. 



640. In the first series of these experiments, Prof. Lehmann adopted an ordi- 

 nary mixed diet ; but he took no more solid or liquid aliment than was needed 

 to appease hunger or thirst, and abstained from fermented drinks. Every two 

 hours he took exercise in the open air, but he avoided immoderate exertion of 

 every kind. The average result of the examination of the Urine passed under 

 these circumstances, for fifteen days, is given in the first line of the subsequent 

 table. In a second series of experiments, Prof. L. lived for twelve days on 

 an exclusively animal diet ; and for the last six of these, it consisted solely of 

 eggs. He took 32 eggs daily; which contained 2929 grains of dry albumen, 

 and 2431 grs. of fatty matters; or about 3532 grs. of carbon, and 465 J grs. of 

 azote. The amount of Urea is shown, in the second line of the table, to have 

 undergone a very large increase ; and it contained more than five-sixths of the 

 whole azote ingested. In a third series of experiments, Dr. L. lived for twelve 

 days on a vegetable diet; and its efiect upon the solid matter of the Urine is 

 shown in the third line of the table. In a fourth, he lived for two days upon 

 an unazotized diet, consisting entirely of pure farinaceous and oleaginous sub- 

 stances, so that the azotized matter of the Urine must have been solely the 

 result of the disintegration of the tissues. It is seen to undergo a very marked 

 diminution, under this regimen; as is shown in the fourth line of the table. 

 His health was so seriously affected, however, by this diet, that he was unable 

 to continue it longer. 



Extractive 

 Solid Matters. Urea. Uric Acid. Matters and Salts. 



I. Mixed diet . . 1047.14 grs. 501.76 grs. 18.26 grs. 196.65 grs. 



II. Animal diet . . 1350.07 " 821.37 " 22.82 " 112.89 " 



III. Vegetable diet . 914.66 " 347.10 " 15.77 " 295.95 " 



IV. Non-Azotized diet . 643.53 " 237.90 " 11.34 " 264.48 " 



1 See Dr. Gregory's "Handbook of Organic Chemistry," p. 450. 



2 See "Philosophical Transactions," 1846, pp. 461-464. 



3 This is particularly obvious in cases in which the functions of the Liver are imperfectly 

 performed. For there is first to be observed an increase in the ordinary Urine-pigment 

 (which contains 58 per cent, of carbon), giving a high color to the secretion, and caus- 

 ing the addition of a few drops of hydrochloric acid to the warmed fluid to develop a fine 

 crimson or purple hue. If the inactivity of the liver increase, a deposit of purpurine (a 

 substance which contains 62*] per cent, of carbon) is thrown down ($ 64). And the com- 

 plete arrest of the elimination of bile is marked by the appearance of the proper Bile- 

 pigment in the urine. (See Dr. Golding Bird's "Lectures on Therapeutics," in "Med. 

 Gaz.," 1848, vol. xlii. p. 229.) 



