Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  \ 
t  February,  1896.  J 
Character  of  the  Urine. 
95 
doses  of  cascara  sagrada,  urine  is  eliminated,  which  has  properties 
similar  to  chrysophanic  urine,  although  apparently  to  a  less  degree 
than  that  produced  by  rhubarb. 
After  large  doses  of  aloes,  the  urine  sometimes  turns  darker  upon 
the  addition  of  alkalies,  and  it  was  found  not  to  be  due  to  glucose. 
Perhaps  similar  reactions  to  those  described  may  be  obtained  with 
principles  which  pass  through  the  kidney  and  give  color  reactions 
with  alkalies. 
As  previously  mentioned,  santonin  is  stated  to  possess  this  prop- 
erty, but  to  what  extent  it  may  influence  the  reagents  mentioned, 
the  writer  is  unable  to  state,  as,  so  far,  he  has  been  unable  to  pro- 
cure a  specimen  of  santonin  urine. 
Separation  of  Chrysophanic  Acid. — It  may  be  desirable  to  remove 
the  interfering  chrysophanic  acid  for  the  further  examination  of  such 
urine  samples.  This  is  best  effected  by  precipitation  with  basic 
acetate  of  lead  solution,  which,  besides  the  acid,  removes  also  gly- 
curonic  compounds. 
Subsequent  removal  of  the  excess  of  lead  by  means  of  sulphuric 
acid,  and  subsequent  examination  in  the  usual  manner  for  glucose, 
becomes  necessary. 
Animal  charcoal  will  also  remove  chrysophanic  acid  from  urine. 
In  presenting  this  paper  to  the  meeting,  the  writer  is  conscious  of 
the  fact  that  many  of  the  points  briefly  dwelled  upon  are  deserving 
of  more  exhaustive  treatment.  The  object  has  been  to  call  atten- 
tion to  an  important  matter,  which  offers  a  field  for  interesting  re- 
search, and  of  which  our  knowledge  at  present  is  at  best  limited. 
The  pharmacist  can  aid  scientific  investigation  in  physiological 
chemistry  by  a  careful  scrutiny  of  different  prescriptions,  and  con- 
sidering the  probable  elimination  of  the  prescribed  drugs. 
By  calling  the  attention  of  physicians,  who  can  procure  samples 
of  urine  more  readily  than  the  pharmacist,  to  the  importance  of  this 
matter,  interest  can  be  created  and  much  valuable  information  can 
be  obtained. 
If  this  receives  careful  attention  and  study,  a  systematic  treatise 
upon  the  elimination  of  drugs  can  be  expected  in  a  short  time. 
