THE NITROGENOUS EXCRETION. URINE. 



355 



The acid radicles appear to be greatly in excess but this 

 comes mainly from the method of calculation. The uric acid 

 and phosphoric acid in the urine are in large part undoubtedly 

 combined as acid salts. By calculating the phosphoric acid as 

 salts of the type M 2 HPO 4 , and the uric acid as forming salts 

 of the type MHC 5 H 2 N 4 O3, this acid excess disappears in all 

 cases except No. 5 and a slight basic excess results. Unques- 

 tionably the carbonic acid present should be considered in 

 order to secure a complete picture of the combinations. It 

 must also be remembered that a small part of the sulphuric 

 acid always exists in the form of so-called ethereal sulphates 

 which are not considered in the above figures. 



The calculation of the form of combination of the bases 

 and acids from the results of analyses is always arbitrary but 

 is sometimes of value in suggesting the possible salt com- 

 pounds. Such a computation made from the analytical results 

 above gives the following table, in which for comparison neu- 

 tral salts are considered as formed. This table embraces the 

 inorganic substances only. If the uric acid were included the 

 acid excess would appear as in the last table given. The 

 values are in grams per 100 cc. as before: 



The figures show pretty well the relative importance of 

 sodium, potassium and ammonium salts. In all cases there is 

 sufficient chlorine to combine with all the sodium, and, in all 

 except the fourth urine, with a good part of the potassium also. 

 Two of the vegetarian urines are very high in potassium salts, 

 probably from peculiarities in the diet consumed. Certain 



