LADDER.

[Illustration: Fig. 4.]

The various forms of gravel, Bright's disease of the kidneys,
haematuria, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, diabetes, and other
functional and organic diseases of the urinary organs effect
characteristic changes in the urine, thus enabling us to distinguish
them with certainty and exactness. Some of the various microscopical
appearances of the urinary deposits in diseases of the kidneys and
bladder, are represented in Fig. 3. In division A is represented pus and
mucus, with decomposition, indicating suppuration somewhere along the
urinary tract. In B pus globules are alone represented. In the division
marked C are shown blood corpuscles as they are arranged in blood drawn
from a vein or artery. D represents the same separated, as they always
are when present in the urine. In E highly magnified oil globules are
represented. If present in the urine, they indicate disease of the
kidneys. In F are represented epithelial cells, the presence of which in
large numbers is indicative of diseases of the mucous lining of the
urinary organs.

Fig. 4 represents the microscopic appearance of phosphates in the
urine. These are present in great quantity in cases of nervous debility
and kindred affections. By attaching the _camera lucida_ to the
microscope we can throw an image of these urinary deposits upon paper.
By the art of the engraver this may be faithfully traced, and thus we
are enabled to produce an accurate representation of them. Some of the
beautiful crystalline deposits shown in Fig. 4 represent less than a
millionth part of a grain, yet their forms are delineated with
geometrical precision. Earthy phosphates are often mistaken for pus and
also seminal fluid. Phosphates are always found in decomposed urine,
otherwise they indicate brain affections, acute cystitis, etc.
Experience has taught us that the voiding of urine loaded with
phosphates is a forerunner of cystitis, or enlargement of the prostate
gland, or both. In fact, persons so affected are "prone to serious
consequences from mild attacks of almost any and every acute disease."

[Illustration: Fig. 5.]

Fig. 5 represents the microscopic appearance of mixed urinary deposits.
In division A is represented fermentation spores as they appear in
diabetic urine. Pasteur asserts that the germs of this fungus get into
the urine after it has been passed. Urates appear in division B. These
indicate waste of flesh, as in fevers,