THE ALBUMINS. 301 



containing conjugate glucuronates. The reagent keeps for at least a 

 year. 



"With Tollens' phloroglucin test, which is conducted in the same 

 manner, a deep-red color develops instead ; but this reaction is also 

 common to the glucuronates. (The reagent is prepared in the same 

 manner as in the case of the orcin reagent, phloroglucin being simply 

 substituted for the orcin.) 



THE ALBUMINS. 



As every urine contains a small number of cellular elements 

 which are derived from the urinary tract, it can readily be under- 

 stood that even under normal conditions albumin can be demon- 

 strated with suitable methods. The amount, however, is exceed- 

 ingly small, and with the common tests a positive reaction cannot 

 be obtained unless the substance in question has been previously 

 isolated from a large quantity of urine. In such an event a trace 

 of a nucl co-albumin can be demonstrated. The occurrence of the 

 common albumins of the blood, on the other hand, is always a 

 pathological phenomenon. Some writers, it is true, speak of a 

 physiological albuminuria, which may be observed after severe 

 muscular exercise, following cold baths, during pregnancy, etc., 

 and it is even claimed that the elimination of albumin in young 

 persons, which is so commonly observed in neurotic and anemic 

 individuals, in association with an increased amount of uric acid 

 and oxalic acid, belongs to this order. There is an increasing 

 tendency among pathologists, however, to doubt the physiological 

 character of such forms of albuminuria, and personally I main- 

 tain that every albuminuria of a hsematogenic type is a pathological 

 phenomenon. We may, in fact, go further, and assume that the 

 appearance of nucleo-albumin also in amounts which can be de- 

 monstrated by ordinary tests is abnormal, as such an occurrence 

 must of necessity be associated with an increased desquamation of 

 epithelial cells, which in itself is evidence of a pathological process. 

 This, however, is hardly the place to enter upon a detailed con- 

 sideration of the various morbid conditions in which albuminuria 

 may occur, and it will suffice to state that any disturbance in the 

 nutrition of the glandular elements of the kidney, from whatever 

 cause, will at once find expression in the appearance of albumin in 

 the urine. The albumins which are then eliminated are the common 

 albumins of the blood, and notably serum-albumin and serum- 

 globulin. Fibrinogen, on the other hand, is usually not found. In 

 cases of haBmaturia and chyluria, however, its presence may be 

 inferred from the formation of coagula of fibrin. This may occur 

 in the urinary passages already, but more commonly it is observed 

 after the urine has been voided. 



Other albumins besides those which are normally found in the 

 blood are encountered only exceptionally in the urine ; but it may 



