On the frothing of urine and other organic liquids / by Robert Kirk.

  • Kirk, Robert
Date:
[between 1880 and 1889?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the frothing of urine and other organic liquids / by Robert Kirk. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    2/16
    from complications—and, perhaps, of all the forms, hot air is preferable. This is easily obtained in private practice by means of a spirit lamp, cane-bottom chair, and crinoline. 9th September, 1881.—Since the above was written (I7th June, 1881) the progress towards recovery has not been quite so rapid as during the previous months; but whether this can or can not be attributed to the fact that the patient, as is usual with her class, discontinued the treatment in a great measure, if not wholly, as soon as all inconvenience dis¬ appeared, may be left an open question till, after resuming the previous treatment, the result of the next few months is known. There is, however, a general improvement over the whole of the affected areas. The tissues are softer, and there is now no difficulty in pinching up any part of the skin into a fold. On the anterior and outer aspect of the forearm there is a narrow band of perfectly normal skin extending to the wrist, and little or no induration can be detected on the posterior aspect of the leg. All the tendinous bands have disappeared, and there is no pain even on rubbing the parts pretty firmly. The general health is very good. ON THE FROTHING OF URINE AND OTHER ORGANIC LIQUIDS. By ROBERT KIRK, M.D., Paetick, Glasgow, Physician-Accoucheur to the Glasgow Western Infirmary. (With Lithographic Plate.) As early as the time of Hippocrates it was known that certain pathological urines, subsequently recognised as albuminous, formed a froth of bubbles on the surface. This fact was referred to by Dr. Southey in his Lumleian Lectures,* and Dr. Arthur Hill Hassall, in commenting on it, has observed that “ the occurrence of retained and persistent air bubbles on the surface of urine is nearly always of pathological significance; and that their presence, when rightly understood, is capable of affording valuable practical information, although, so far as I am aware, the subject has not hitherto been followed out with the requisite care and minuteness.” f The following account of a few observations, extending over about two * Brit. hied. Journal, 9th April, 1881. P. 541. t Ihid., 14tli May, 1881. P. 767.
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3