on the Effects of Magnesia, 22^ 



diminished in quantity. In six weeks the urine, when voided, 

 was transparent ; but a considerable deposition of the phos- 

 phates took place, when it had remained for some hours at rest.- 

 In this state he left London, and has since informed me, that 

 the sediment gradually diminished under the use of the car- 

 bonic acid, that his urine is never turbid, and that the irritation 

 in the bladder has entirely subsided. 



It did not appear necessary to detail the minutiae of the 

 above cases ; they have been selected with a view to elucidate 

 the treatment of the disease, as far as it depends upon chemi- 

 cal principles, and to furnish the data upon which the following 

 conclusions are founded. 



1. That where alkalies fail to relieve the increased secre- 

 tion of uric acid, and to prevent its forming calculi in the 

 kidneys, or where they disagree with the stomach, magnesia 

 is generally effectual, and that it may be persevered in for a 

 considerable time without inconvenience, where the tendency 

 to form excess of uric acid remains. 



2. When the alkalies, or magnesia, are improperly conti- 

 nued, after having relieved the symptoms connected with the 

 formation of the red sand, or uric acid, the urine acquires a 

 tendency to deposit the white sand, consisting of the ammo- 

 niaco-magnesian phosphate and phosphate of lime. 



3. The mineral acids, (muriatic, sulphuric, and nitric) di- 

 minish, or entirely prevent the deposition of the phosphates ; 

 but are apt to induce a return of the red gravel. 



