THE MICROSCOPE IN PATHOLOGY AND MEDICINE. 241 



disintegrated albuminous, and chiefly nervous, matter, but 

 their clinical importance is not fully settled. They are 

 found in cases of nervous depression, various forms of 

 dyspepsia, shock of the spinal cord, irritation of the blad- 

 der, etc. 



In highly alkaline urine, the triple phosphates are 

 usually accompanied with pus and phosphate of lime. 

 The latter occurs as minute granules or dumb-bells, or in 

 groups of crystals (Plate XXVII, Fig. 200). 



(4.) Oxalate of lime is deposited in small octahedra, 

 generally appearing under the microscope as minute 

 squares, with crossed lines proceeding from the angles, 

 the upper angle being next the eye (Plate XXVII, Fig. 

 201). Dumb-bell forms, and circular or oval crystalline 

 masses, are often seen. 



Oxalate of lime is found as a urinary deposit in various 

 conditions, as pulmonary and dyspeptic affections. It is 

 usually associated with hypochondriasis, and in cases of 

 overfatigue, particularly from mental work, it is very 

 common. Its association with calculous affections ren- 

 ders it interesting to the surgeon. 



(5.) Chloride of sodium never crystallizes from fluid 

 urine. On evaporation it crystallizes in stellar form or 

 in cubes (Plate XXVII, Fig. 202). The presence of urea 

 sometimes disposes it to assume the form of a regular 

 octahedron. 



It is useful to investigate this excretion in typhoid 

 fevers and inflammations of the respiratory organs, etc. 

 In commencing hepatization of the lung it is absent, but 

 returns on resolution of the inflammation. The method 

 of testing has been given before. 



(6.) Cystin (Plate XXVII, Fig. 203) crystallizes in 

 characteristic six-sided plates. It contains a large pro- 

 portion of sulphur, 26 per cent., and is considered a 

 product of decomposition. It is often associated with 



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