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effected in regard to the pathology of phosphate of lime ; but now 

 that the frequency of its occurrence in human urine as a crystallized 

 deposit is made known, its pathology, apart from that of the triple 

 phosphate, will no doubt be specially considered. 



It will be apparent from the following quotation, that the late 

 Dr. Golding Bird regarded deposits of phosphate of lime as of more 

 consequence than those of the triple phosphate : " The pathological 

 state of the system accompanying the appearance of deposits of 

 phosphate of lime is analogous to that occurring with the triple 

 phosphate ; indeed, as has been already observed, they often, and in 

 alkaline urine always, occur simultaneously. So far as my own ex- 

 perience has extended, when the deposit has consisted chiefly of the 

 calcareous salt, the patients have appeared to present more marked 

 evidence of exhaustion, and of the previous existence of some drain 

 on the nervous system, than when the triple salt alone existed, unless 

 its source is strictly local." 



It should be remembered that these remarks of Dr. Bird refer to 

 deposits of phosphate of lime in the granular state, and not to the 

 crystalline deposits, with the occurrence of which he was unacquainted. 

 I have already stated that, according to my experience, the granular 

 calcareous phosphatic deposits are much more rare than the crystalline. 



It follows from these observations and investigations : 



First. That deposits of crystallized phosphate of lime are of fre- 

 quent occurrence in human urine, much more so, indeed, than those 

 of the amorphous or granular form of that phosphate. 



Second. That the crystals present well-marked and highly charac- 

 teristic forms, whereby the identification of this phosphate by means 

 of the microscope is rendered easy and certain. 



Third. That there is good reason to believe that deposits of phos- 

 phate of lime are of greater pathological importance than those of 

 the phosphate of ammonia and magnesia. 



February 2, 1860. 



Sir BENJAMIN C. BRODIE, Bart., President, in the Chair. 



In accordance with notice given at the last meeting, the Right Ho- 

 nourable Sir Edward Ryan, Member of Her Majesty's Privy Council, 



