THE URINE. 213 



states of health and disease, have been but little studied ; it 

 is probable that a knowledge of them would lead to the dis- 

 covery of some facts of interest. 



The cutaneous fluid, it is known, is in health acid; there 

 are some situations, however, in which it is constantly 

 alkaline, as in the axillae, about the genital organs, and 

 between the toes ; this, probably, arises from its admixture 

 with the secretions of the small follicles which are situated in 

 those parts. 



The sweat, like the urine, is to be regarded as a cleansing 

 fluid, the system being through it relieved of certain surplus 

 and effete matters. 



The pathology of the sweat is but little known : albumen 

 has been observed in it by Anselmino, in a case of febris 

 rheumatica, and Stark states, that it may be met with in the 

 sweat in gastric, putrid, and hectic diseases, and also on the 

 approach of death. The amount of acetic acid, ammonia, 

 and the salts, may all be increased. Uric acid and quinine 

 have been found in the sweat, the latter preparation being of 

 course at the time administered medicinally. 



THE URINE. 



Few fluids have been more studied of late years by the 

 microscopist than the urine ; this has arisen from the 

 elegance of form, variety of composition, and important 

 character of the numerous crystalline deposits which are 

 formed in it in states of health and disease, and which can 

 be satisfactorily determined only by the aid of the microscope. 



The great advantage of the application of the microscope 

 over that of chemical tests to the study of the urine is, that 

 the indications which it affords are not merely certain, but 

 also prompt and facile, while the results obtained through 

 the agency of chemistry, although not less certain, are often 

 tedious and difficult. 



The description of the various crystals formed in the urine 

 is reserved for another occasion ; in this place will be noticed 



s 4 



