:j3 



ABNORMAL SUBSTANCES FOUND IN THE URINE. 



Albumin. The presence of this substance in the urine is 

 regarded as pathologic. There is, however, in the urine of some 

 individuals apparently enjoying perfect health, minute traces of 

 albumin sometimes present, and, unless these traces persist, are 

 not to be regarded as serious. If present in any considerable 

 quantity, it must be regarded as distinctly abnormal. Albumi- 

 nuria is the term applied when albumin occurs in notable quan- 

 tity in the urine. The principal form of albumin present is 

 serum-albumin, in addition there may be serum-globulin, acid 

 albumin, albumose, and peptone. 



The amount of albumin in the urine may be increased: 1. 

 By food rich in albumin; 2. Suppression of cutaneous perspira- 

 tion, as by colds, burns, or cutaneous diseases ; 3. Pulmonary and 

 cardiac diseases attended with dyspnoea, cyanosis, valvular dis- 

 eases of the heart ; 4. Febrile and inflammatory diseases, as ma- 

 larial, eruptive, typhus and typhoid fevers, croup, diphtheria, 

 erysipelas, rheumatism, gout, peritonitis, meningitis, etc. ; 5. By 

 lesions or prostration of the nervous system, especially when at- 

 tended by diminished temperature and arterial tension, as from 

 grief, fear, injury, pressure; 6. Pressure as from tumors, preg- 

 nancy, etc. ; 7. Cachexias, as from cancer, syphilis, scrofula, sep- 

 ticemia ; 8. Hydremia and ailments that disturb the vascular ten- 

 sion; 9. Chorea, convulsions, exacerbations of febrile and other 

 diseases; 10. Diseases of genito-urinary organs, as Bright 's dis- 

 ease, cystitis, hemorrhage, abscess, etc. ; 11. Medicines, such as 

 copaiba, cubebs, turpentine, some emetics and drastic cathartics, 

 some anesthetics, coffee, many metallic salts, poisoning by hydro- 

 gen arsenide, carbon protoxide, carbon dioxide, phosphorus, 

 iodine, iodoform, etc. 



The loss of organic material (albumin) disturbs nutrition, 

 the blood becomes more aqueous ; it sometimes produces an anas- 

 arca which is the result of hydremia and of anuria. 



Albuminuria may be caused: 1. By an alteration in the renal 

 transudation ; 2. By certain changes in the blood ; 3. By disturb- 

 ance of the circulation. 



Renal Changes. Lesions of the dialysiug portions of the 



