EFFECTS OF MAGNESIA ON URIC ACID. 
81 
farmer consisted of phosphate of lime and mucus, the latter 
of the ammoniaco-magnesian phosphate. 
He was directed to take one drachm of muriatic acid pro- 
perly diluted, at divided doses, during the day 5 and it was 
proposed that he should pursue this plan for a week ; but it 
was discontinued on the third day on account of its acting upon 
the bowels, and producing a frequent desire to make water*. 
On the 10th of October, he was advised to take two large 
glasses of lemonade daily, and to substitute claret for port wine, 
a pint of which he was in the habit of drinking daily. Under 
this treatment the symptoma produced by the muriatic acid 
subsided ; but the appearance of the urine was not at first 
improved. 
On the 20th, the film of triple phosphate formerly con- 
stantly observed in the urine began to decrease, but the white 
sand remained as abundant as before ; he was therefore directed 
to take twenty grains of citric acid twice a day, and to conti- 
nue the use of acid drink, as formerly. 
The additional acid at first disagreed with the bowels ; but 
this effect soon ceased, and the sediment was only observed in 
the urine voided in the morning; he therefore took another 
dose of the acid every night. This plan was pursued with 
little intermission until the beginning of December: the depo- 
sition of the phosphates gradually ceased, and Ire remained in 
perfect health until the middle of May, 1812, when after vio- 
lent exercise, and taking more wine than usual, the white sand 
again made its ap{rearance in great abundance ; his stomach 
became extremely irritable, and the acids, which he had before 
employed with success, brought on considerable irritation in 
the bladder. The addition of ten drops of laudanum to each 
dose of the citric acid prevented this effect, and he was thus 
enabled to continue the acid, which in a fortnight relieved his 
complaint. 
• In this and other instances the sulphuric and nitric acids were 
oeca^ionally substituted for the muriatic j but they were found equally 
inadmissible. 
This 
