Selected monographs.

Date:: 1888

Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Selected monographs. Source: Wellcome Collection.

26/440 (page 10)

scanty and not altogotlier positive statements, that hemi-al- bumoso or pro-peptone (pro-peptonuria/ ns I shall henceforth call it,) was an extremely rare occurrence in the urine, and unworthy of consideration. My own observations, however, directly contradict such a notion, for they show that though pro-peptonuria is not very common, it is vastly more frequent than current ideas and the literature of the subject would lead us to believe. During the past three or four years I have met with seven cases, one being a man aged forty-four, who had several times been the subject of syphilis, and in the course of years had undergone various courses of anti-syphilitic treatment. When first admitted into the Augusta Hospital, he was fairly well nourished, slightly jaundiced, his liver and spleen were considerably enlarged, and there was pro- fuse diuresis, to an extent of 6000 cctm. daily, corresponding with the somewhat intense thirst. The urine had a sp. gr. of 1004—1006, and was free from sugar. It exhibited a decided cloudiness on the addition of acetic acid and ferro- •cyanide of potassium, and a similar reaction with the same acid and a concentrated solution of sulphate of magnesia. It remained clear on boiling, and the subsequent addition of nitric acid made no difierence. When warmed with solution of caustic soda and a very small quantity of sulphate of copper, a red colour was produced. For more minute examination a certain quantity of urine was mixed with about three times its bulk of absolute alcohol, and the preci- pitate, after settHng, was mixed with distilled water and filtered. The clear solution became cloudy on the addition of nitric acid, and also when acetic acid was used; excess of the latter, however, caused the clearness to return ; boiled with nitric acid it became clear and a faint yellow m colour, with soda and sulphate of copper the solution assumed a beautiful violet, and not a red colour. The urme gave the same reactions on further examination a few days later, but not afterwards, the quantity and specific gravity having at the same time become normal. The patient was discharged 1 The name hcmi-albumose, which has been applied by Kiihne to the product of digestion referred to, is older than the term pro-peptone suggested by Schmidt-Miihlheim, but I have preferred the latter as being more ■euphonious.