458 
DR. BENCE JONES ON THE VARIATIONS IN 
line phosphates at the last were also in excess, though there was no symptom what- 
ever of affection of the nervous structures. 
The conclusions I have drawn may be thus enumerated: — 
Table I. — The variations in the earthy phosphates in one case, during ten succes- 
sive days, appear to follow no rule. In the other cases the amount of earthy phos- 
phates seemed to be about the healthy standard. 
The general conclusion was, that the variations in the earthy phosphates were in- 
dependent of the nature of the disease ; and this conclusion is borne out by all the 
other tables. 
Table II. — In fractures of the spine and paraplegia, the total amount of phosphatic 
salts was slightly above the healthy standard at the early period, when inflammatory 
action might be present ; when chronic, or free from inflammation, the total quantity 
of phosphatic salts was lower than natural. 
Table III. — In chronic diseases of the brain, and in chronic, and even acute diseases 
of the membranes, there was no increase of phosphates. 
Table IV. — In fractures of the bones of the skull, when any inflammation of the 
brain appeared, there was a slight increase in the total amount of phosphates. When 
there were no head symptoms no increase of phosphates was observed, even though 
other acute inflammations supervened. 
Table V. — In acute inflammation of the brain there was an excessive amount of 
phosphates secreted : when thb acute inflammation became chronic no excess was 
observable. 
Table VI. — In some functional diseases of the brain an excessive amount of phos- 
phates was secreted ; this ceased with the delirium. In other functional cases, as in 
fevers, no excess was observed. Delirium tremens showed no excess or deficiency 
when food could be taken ; but in the most violent cases, when no food was taken, 
the phosphates were diminished in a most remarkable degree. In one case in which, 
at this period, there was no alkaline phosphate, the urine was acid to test-paper. In 
another, in which the total quantity of phosphatic salts =‘06 per 1000 urine, there 
was a strong acid reaction : the urine remained acid for eight days in June. 
Table VII. — In the general paralysis of the insane no increase of phosphates was 
observed. One case of acute paroxysm of mania showed a small increase during the 
paroxysm. In two other cases of mania there appeared a diminution of phosphates 
approaching to that in delirium tremens. 
Table VIII. — Acute inflammations and fevers showed no increase. 
Table IX. — Bright’s disease, even with acute inflammation, showed no increase. 
Where only a few ounces of urine were secreted, as in dropsy, there was a slight ap- 
parent increase. In scrofulous diseases no increase w T as observed, nor in a very ex- 
treme case of exostosis. In the acute case of mollifies ossium there was a decided in- 
crease in the earthy phosphates, and the alkaline phosphates at last were also in 
excess, though there was no symptom whatever of affection of the nervous structures. 
