URINARY APPARATUS. 



185 



Fur. 40. 



4. Mere changes in the normal composi- 

 tion of the blood, in the absence of any change of 

 blood pressure or change of structure of the kidneys, may 

 bring about albuminuria (leucemia). 



From what has been stated we can readily 

 see that the mere presence of albuminuria 

 does not necessarily indicate an affection of the 

 kidneys. 



Accidental albuminuria is rare and 

 of little importance. We assume that the albu- 

 minuria is accidental when the filtrate contains 

 large quantities of blood and pus corpuscles and 

 epithelial cells and only a moderate quantity of 

 albumin. In that case the proportionately small 

 amount of albumin is supposed to result from par- 

 tial solution of the cellular elements. 



Chemical determination of albuminuria. For 

 this use freshly voided urine; if not clear, filter. 



1. Koch's test. Fill test tube to J4 > ts height 

 with urine — if alkaline add a drop of acetic acid — boil 

 and then add 1-10 its volume of dilute nitric acid (sp. 

 gr. 1.18); a permanent precipitate indicates albumin. 

 If a precipitate or turbidity produced by boiling dis- 

 appears on addition of nitric acid it indicates phosphate 

 of lime. 



2. Heller's test. The cold, filtered (and, if 

 necessary, acidulated) urine is carefully poured on con- 

 centrated nitric acid, so as to form a layer on the same. 

 If albumin is present a white or cloudy ring is formed 

 in the test tube where the urine comes in contact with 

 the nitric acid. 



3. Acetic acid ferro-cyanide of 

 potash test. To the filtered urine add a quan- 

 tity of acetic acid and then a few drops of a 5% solu- 

 tion of potassium ferrocyanide; the presence of albumin produces 

 a white precipitate. 



If the addition of acetic acid produces cloudiness mucin is 

 present; in this case filter the urine. The mucin may also be pre- 

 cipitated with acetate of lead before making the test. 



4. A few crystals of salicylsuipnonic acid added to a few cubic 

 centimeters of urine will, if albumin is present, produce a cloudy 

 precipitate. 



■IB 



BUI" 



111 



Eaba h'a 



Albumini- 



meter. 



