URINE. 477 



In males. In females. 



Mean of fixed salts capable of ignition, 0-0214 0-01855 

 Do. of organic salts, . . 0-0260 0-02130 



Means, supposing the urine to weigh 1000. 

 Mean water, . . 968-815 971-935 



solid constituents, . 31-185 28-066 



urea, . . . 13-838 12-102 



uric acid, ""* . 0-557 0-398 



fixed salts, , % . 8-426 6-919 



organic salts, \' . 9-655 8-647 



The fixed salts were chlorides, phosphates, and sulphates of lime, 

 soda, potash, and magnesia. The organic salts were lactate of 

 ammonia, lactic acid, colouring matter, extractive matters, sal- 

 ammoniac, and perhaps lactate of urea. 



Such are the properties, and such the constituents of human 

 urine in a state of health. But this excretion is singularly modi- 

 fied hy disease, and the changes to which it is liable have at- 

 tracted the attention of physicians in all ages, as serving to point 

 out the state of the patient, and the progress of the disease under 

 which he labours. It is greatly to be regretted that but few ac- 

 curate chemical examinations of the urine of individuals labour- 

 ing under particular diseases have yet been made. The few ge- 

 neral observations that have been made by medical men are the 

 following : 



M. Alfred Becquerel has made many analyses of diseased 

 urine to determine the alterations which take place in its consti- 

 tuents. The following abstract exhibits the most important facts 

 which he determined : 



1. The quantity of uric acid is augmented by fever and by 

 functional disorders, such as diseases of the heart, lungs, liver, 

 &c. When it is superabundant, the urine deposits a sediment 

 of uric acid. It is diminished in chlorosis, anemia, great prostra- 

 tion of strength : 



Mean normal quantity in 24 hours, sp. gr. 1-016437 

 water in 24 hours, . . 1-302 Ibs. 



uric acid in do. . . 0-00123 Ibs. 



Mean excess, . . . 1-021654 



water in 24 hours, . . 1*441 Ibs. 



uric acid in do. . . 0-0023 Ibs. 



Mean deficiency, . . . 1*011855 



water in 24 hours, . ' > .-' 2-3832 Ibs. 

 uric acid in do. 0-00048 Ibs. 



