CHAPTER XII. 



EXAMINATION OF URINARY DEPOSITS. 



THE chemical composition of the urine and urinary deposits 

 has within a few years past attracted much attention, and has 

 contributed much to our knowledge respecting the nature of 

 diseases and their diagnosis. To examine these, the microscope 

 is often an essential instrument. 



Deposits of uric acid and its combinations (called red, or 

 yellow-sand sediments), occur in fever ; acute inflammation ; 

 in rheumatism; in phthisis; in all the grades of dyspepsia; 

 in all or most stages of diseases attended with arrest of per- 

 spiration ; in diseases of the genital apparatus ; from blows and 

 strains of the loins ; from excessive indulgence in animal food ; 

 or from too little exercise. 



The deposition of earthy phosphates (white deposit), should 

 be regarded as of serious importance, always indicating the 

 existence of important functional, and frequently of organic 

 disorder. According to Dr. Bird, they always exist simul- 

 taneously with a depressed state of nervous energy, often 

 general, rarely more local, in its seat. 



Deposits of oxalate of lime are regarded by Dr. G-. Bird as 

 by no means so rare as is generally supposed. He believes 

 that ife owes its origin to sugar, and is caused by derangement 

 of the digestive organs. 



The urine may contain all or any of the elements of the 



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