URIC ACID. 



61 



Uses. Lactic acid in the gastric juice (with the hydrochloric) is 

 essential to the digestion of the nitrogenized elements of our food. 

 Moreover, as the alkaline lactates are absorbed into the blood, they 

 undergo rapid combustion (being thus converted into alkaline car- 

 bonates), and thus become the most efficient supporters of animal 

 heat. The lactic acid in the muscular juice is doubtless a resultant 

 of the use and c&s-assimilation of the muscular tissue. Hence, as 

 Berzelius asserted, it increases in proportion to the extent to which 

 they have been exercised. Liebig's hypothesis, that an electric ten- 

 sion influencing the function of the muscles is established by the 

 acid muscular juice and the alkaline blood in the capillaries, is 

 simply ingenious. 



The lactates of soda, potassa, and lime are also among the imme- 

 diate principles of this class. 



2. Uric Acid. (C 9 HN 2 2 .HO.) 



Uric acid always constitutes about 1 part in 1,000 of the urine of 

 healthy men. It is usually far less abundant in carnivorous animals. 



Fig. 11. 



Fig. 12. 



Uric acid crystals artificial. 



Fig. 13. 



Uric acid rhombs. 

 Fig. 14. 



Uric acid thicker rhombs. 



Uric acid modified rhombs. 



