ALKALINE DRINKS AS LITHONTRIPTICS. 147 
when abundant aqueous drinks are not swallowed; on the 
contrary, it always remains limpid in the latter case, if } 
however, excessive perspiration does not exist. When 
lithontriptic drinks are made use of, the urine must be daily 
observed, so that it may be brought to such a state as not to 
deposit by cooling. When this result is arrived at, says M. 
Bouchardat, the gravel will disappear, and the calculi will 
be gradually dissolved, for there is established in the blad- 
der a continual exchange between the bladder and the cal- 
culus. If the urine is concentrated, it deposits; if it is not 
saturated, it dissolves. All efforts must, therefore, be di- 
rected to maintaining it in the latter state. 
Three or four quarts of aqueous drinks in the twenty- 
four hours are most commonly sufficient for attaining this 
end; six and more are sometimes required. But these 
lithontriptics are, in general, really and surely useful only 
when the urine remains limpid after cooling. 
Drinking is not all that is required, adds M. Bouchardat, 
in conclusion, for obtaining abundant urine; perspiration 
must also be avoided. This is easily obtained by wearing 
a moderate amount of clothing, by carefully avoiding too 
rapid motions, and by rubbing the surface of the skin with 
a fatty body. Ibid. 
