SECRETION, 



451 



The ammonium salts produced are inoffensive and are eliminated by 

 the kidneys. 



The quantity of ammonia in the urine varies with the food, 

 being greater on a meat diet and least on a vegetable diet. 



The introduction of acids into the organism incapable of con- 

 version into carbonic by the organic oxidations increases the amount 

 of ammonia in the urine. For the acid introduced combines with 

 a part of the ammonia resulting from proteid metabolism, and, not 

 being capable of transformation into carbonic, is excreted by the 

 kidneys as an ammonium salt. 



Fig. 173. Leucin in Balls; Tyrosin in Sheaves. (PEYEB.) 



In this way we see the means by which the body resists poison- 

 ing by the acids generated within it. As long as the quantity of 

 ammonia produced suffices to neutralize the acids, there is no 

 trouble; but when the acids are in excess, as in the acidoses like 

 diabetes, then there is a fall of temperature, difficult breathing, 

 drowsiness, and collapse. The introduction of alkaline carbonates or 

 salts of organic acids which are convertible into carbonic acid dimin- 

 ishes the amount of ammonia in the urine. 



In the body, by the metabolism of the proteids, there are pro- 

 duced incombustible acids, chiefly sulphuric and phosphoric, which 

 combine with ammonia to be excreted as such. 



