xin, A. 6 Concepcion: Analysis of Noitnal Filipino Urine 353 



cent of this oxidized sulphur is in the form of inorganic sul- 

 phate, and 10 per cent ethereal sulphate. 



In Filipinos the average of 205 determinations was 1.475 

 grams of total sulphate, of which 1.169 grams is inorganic sul- 

 phate and 0.306 grams ethereal sulphate. As expected, the 

 total oxidized sulphur was found to be less than in the case of 

 Europeans or Americans. This figure for Filipinos is only 

 about one-half of the standard figure given by Hawk. (21) This 

 should be expected, since the sulphuric acid excreted in the urine 

 arises principally from the oxidation of protein material and, 

 normally, is directly proportional to the amount of protein 

 intake. Like urea, it is an index of total protein metabolism. 



It was formerly believed that a ratio could be established be- 

 tv/een nitrogen and sulphuric acid. It has been suggested that 

 for an average diet this ratio is as 5 to 1. However, when 

 we come to consider that the percentage content of nitrogen and 

 sulphur present in different proteins varies, the fixing of a ratio 

 that will express the exact relation existing between the two 

 elements, as they appear in the urine, is practically impossible. 

 If we accept this ratio in a general way, and compare with it 

 the ratio for Filipinos, we see that it is only a trifle more than 

 three-fourths, since the ratio of nitrogen to sulphuric acid is 

 as 3.87 to 1. 



The ratio of the total oxidized sulphur to ethereal sulphates 

 in an average American or European diet is from 10 to 1 to 

 12 to 1, while the ratio of Filipinos is only 5.45 to 1. This can 

 be explained by the vegetable character of the diet, as it is a 

 well-known fact that the usual ratio may be greatly reduced 

 by a rich carbohydrate or an exclusive milk diet. (22) 



CHLORIDES 



Chlorides were determined by the Volhard- Arnold method. (23) 

 Next to urea, chlorides constitute the chief solid constituent 

 of normal urine. The average daily output is about 10 to 15 

 grams, expressed as sodium chlorides; but the output is de- 

 pendent in great part upon the nature of the food ingested, 

 being high in a vegetable and low in a meat diet. It is also 

 greatly increased temporarily after copious water drinking and 

 with increased ingestion of salt in the food. 

 _ The average excretion over the whole series of 199 analyses 

 is 5.86 grams daily. It is to be expected that the total quantity 

 would be higher on account of the vegetable character of the 

 diet of Filipinos, and their high chloride ingestion. 



