ACETONURIA. DIACETURIA. 187 



in a retort and distill from it about 30 cubic centimeters. 

 This latter portion contains most of the acetone. 



390. LIEBEN'S TEST. To a solution of acetone add 

 a little sodium hydrate, then a solution of iodin in potas- 

 sium iodid and warm. lodoform is produced as a yellow- 

 ish powder having a characteristic odor. After a time it 

 may form six-sided plates, which can be seen with a micro- 

 scope. Notice also the odor. Alcohol gives the same result. 



391. Prepare mercuric oxid by precipitating a little 

 mercuric chlorid with sodium hydrate. Wash by decanta- 

 tion and filter and wash. Add this to some of the acetone 

 solution, shake, and filter. The presence of acetone is 

 shown by its dissolving the oxid. This can be proved by 

 pouring a layer of ammonium sulphid solution on top of 

 the filtrate in a narrow test-tube, when the mercury will 

 be precipitated as a black ring between the two liquids. 



392. LEGAI/S TEST. To the liquid containing ace- 

 tone add a drop of a freshly-prepared solution of sodium 

 nitro-prussid and make alkaline with sodium hydrate. A 

 ruby-red color is produced. In a few minutes it changes 

 to yellow. If it is acidified with acetic acid a carmin or 

 purplish-red color appears when much acetone is present. 

 On long standing (forty-eight hours) this changes to blue. 

 (Compare with the results from WeyPs test for creatinin 

 [Experiment 318], which normally appears in the urine.) 

 In cases of doubt the urine may be distilled and the ace- 

 lone sought in the distillate. Creatinin is non-volatile. 



DIACETURIA. 



Diacetic or aceto-acetic acid (CH 3 COCH 2 C0 2 H) 

 never appears normally in the urine, but is found under 

 the same pathological conditions as acetone. In the fevers 



