After  drugs  containing  chrysoplumic  adj.  as,  for  instance,  chry-
sarobin.  rluibarb,  santonin,  ^enna.  and  otlicr^.  the  nrine  in  of  a  yellow
tint  when  acid  and  red  when  alkaline.  Tlie  pigment  of  many  vege-
tables will  change  the  color  of  the  nrine.  .\niong  lliese  may  he  nien-
tiotietl  lumips.  whortleberries,  blackberries,  and  others..
Odor. — The  ocior  of  the  normal  fresh  urine  is  not  unpleasant.  The
so-called  urinary  odor  is  due  to  the  ammoniacal  decomposition  by  Ihe
bacteria.  In  a  decomposing  albuminous  urine  the  odor  is  especially
disagreeable,  and  a  diagnosis  of  albuminuria  may  be  made  from  that
alone.  There  is  said  to  he  an  intolerable  odor  in  cases  of  cancer  of
llic  bladder  and  deep  inflammatory  disease  of  the  urinary  tract.  Gia-
bne  believes  in  a  characleristic  odor  in  certain  cases  of  abnormal
inetalx)lism  with  incomplete  combustion,  such  as  is  present  in  dialietics
and  oxahirics.  We  may  even  supimsc  that  he  thinks  that  one  of  the
great  masters  of  French  medicine  could  diagnose  insanity  from  the
odor  of  the  urine  alone.  There  is  said  to  he  a  special  odor  in  chyluria
and  even  in  slight  harmatnria.  Other  cases  have  a  remarkable  absence
of  odor.  It  should  always  be  rememhered.  however,  that  the  lx)tlle  in
which  the  patient  brings  the  specimen  may  explain  the  odor.  We
have  noticed  a  strong  odor  of  HjS  in  certain  nq)hntics,  even  when
the  urine  was  quite  fresh.
Certain  substances  are  excreted  as  such  in  the  urine.  .Among
such  are  valerian,  asafetida.  coffee,  and  various  foods.  Others  build
odorous  bodies.  .Among  these  are  the  balsams,  cnpaiha.  cubebs.  etc.
After  the  administration  of  tur|>entine  the  odor  of  the  urine  is  that
of  violets.  .After  eating  asparagus  there  is  a  characteristic  odor
attributed  to  methyl -mercaptan.
