Manual of urine testing : including the physical characters, qualitative and quantitative examination of the urine together with the clinical information to be derived therefrom / by John Scott.

  • Scott, John
Date:
1897
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Manual of urine testing : including the physical characters, qualitative and quantitative examination of the urine together with the clinical information to be derived therefrom / by John Scott. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Ammoniacal—Indicates an Alkaline reaction. Sweetish—Diabetes Mellitus. Offensive—Decomposition of Bloodor of Pus. Normal urine kept for some time becomes offensive. 4. Froth.—Whether permanent (indicating Albu- men) or not; or if tinged with Bile. 5. Amount secreted daily.—50 ozs. (21,875 grains). This amount, which varies directly with the arterial tension in the glomeruli of the Kidneys, is Diminished (Oliguria)—In all cases of increased specific gravity (except Diabetes)—e.g., Febrile conditions, Congestion of Kidneys, and Acute Bright’s disease, Dropsy (early stages). A profuse discharge from the bowels or skin naturally lessens the urine. Increased (Polyuria)—In all cases of diminished specific gravity—e.g.. Hysteria (usually), Chronic Bright’s disease, Dropsy (when receding), exhibi- tion of Diuretics. i. There is often a great difficulty in preserving the whole urine passed by a patient on account of the great tendency the urine has to he passed at stool and so lost. By getting the patient to pass water before going to stool, this loss may often be prevented ; and in males a wide-mouthed bottle can be used simultaneously. It is well to date the period from 8 A.M. of one day till 8 A.M. next day, and to use a graduated vessel, so that amount may be easily read off. In cases of Incon- tinence it may be necessary to catheterise hourly; and in cases of Paralysis of Bladder, the use of a permanent receptacle is indicated. ii. The amount should be known for two reasons—(1)—Because deviations from the normal are alone often indicative of disease; (2) because without a knowledge of the quantity no reliable conclusions can be drawn from a knowledge of the specific gravity. iii. The rate at which urine is excreted during the twenty- four hours varies, e.g— Roberts has shown that the solid and fluid constituents of urine are much increased after meals and diminished during fasting and sleep. Two practical deduc- tions are—(1) The urine, like the fasces, may be reduced by a sparing solid as well as liquid diet in cases where it may he thought necessary; (2) Where urine has to he repeatedly drawn off by the catheter, the meal hours might be so planned to suit the practitioner’s time, that his visits an hour or so later would relieve the bladder after the increased flow has occurred. iv. Oliguria is always of serious import in disease.