H^EMO-GLOBINURIA 27 



series of chemical analyses: 1. That the precipitate thrown down on 

 the addition of nitric acid and subsequent boiling is essentially albumen, 

 and not urea as was stated by Williams. 2. That the discoloration is 

 due to the colouring matter of the blood. 3. That while the amount 

 of urea contained in the urine varies in different cases, it cannot be said 

 to exist in any abnormal proportion. He further stated that the simple 

 presence of urea in the serum of the blood, as referred to by Williams, 

 is no indication of its being the disease -producing agent, inasmuch as 

 urea is normally present in it. As to the specific gravity of the urine, 

 the Professor observed that in none of the cases to which his attention 

 had been directed had any marked increase been observed. In respect 

 of the composition of the urine, he had noticed a considerable diminution 

 in the amount of the calcium carbonate, and a notable increase in the 

 ammonio-magnesium phosphates. 



In speaking of the condition of the tissues after death he dwelt on 

 the general septicsemic character of the changes, and specially referred 

 to their oedematous condition. In a case recently brought under his 

 notice the amount of fluid contained in the muscular and hepatic tissues 

 was estimated and compared with that contained in the same structures 

 in health, with the result stated below. 



Estimation of Moisture in Muscle Tissue of Horse suffering from 

 "Azoturia". 1. From the psose muscles 8 ounces or 3840 grains of flesh 

 were removed and correctly weighed. 2. On some of the fluid being 

 removed, by squeezing, it was found to have lost 1050 grains. 3. It 

 was then minced up, and placed in a water-bath (the temperature not 

 exceeding 150 Fahr.) for 24 hours, and again weighed, but the weight 

 was found to be constant: 



Water 2717 grains 



Flesh 1123 



3840 



There being present in the muscle water equal to 707 per cent. 



Estimation of Moisture in Hepatic Tissue of a Horse suffering from 

 "Azoturia". 1. Eight ounces of liver were taken and correctly weighed. 

 2. On some of the fluid being removed, by squeezing, it was found to 

 have lost 1125 grains. 3. The liver was now minced up and put into 

 a water-bath (temperature 150 Fahr.) for 24 hours, and again weighed, 

 when it was found to have lost 2478 grains. 4. It was then put into 

 the same bath for 12 hours longer, at the end of which time it was again 

 weighed, but found to be constant: 



