214 



UNOKGANISED FLUIDS. 



only the organic constituents which occur in normal and 

 abnormal urine. 



In order that the pathological alterations to which the 

 urine is liable may be more clearly understood, it will be 

 advisable, first, to describe the appearance and the constitu- 

 tion of healthy urine. 



Healthy urine, when first passed, is a limpid fluid of an 

 amber colour, emitting a peculiar odour, exhibiting an acid 

 reaction, and having a specific gravity of about 1011. 



Abandoned to itself, it soon loses its limpidity, becomes 

 troubled, and putrifies more or less quickly, according to its 

 chemical constitution, and the state of the temperature. 



The following is Berzelius' analysis of healthy urine, 

 and with which all other subsequent analyses have been 

 found to agree to a very considerable extent : 1000 parts 

 contained, 



Water - 

 Solid residue 

 Urea 

 Uric acid 



Free lactic acid, lactate of am- 

 monia, alcohol, and water extract 

 Mucus 



Sulphate of potash 

 Sulphate of soda 

 Phosphate of soda 

 Biphosphate of ammonia 

 Chloride of sodium 

 Chloride of ammonium - 

 Phosphate of lime and magnesia - 

 Silicic acid 



It will be seen from the above analysis that healthy urine 

 does not contain the nitrogenised principles albumen, fibrin, 

 or casein, which are encountered so frequently in urine 

 voided in disease. 



The only solid organised constituents which are constantly 

 encountered in healthy urine, are mucous corpuscles and epi- 



