Experiments on kiesteine : with remarks on its application to the diagnosis of pregnancy : an inaugural dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by Elisha K. Kane ; published by the recommendation of the Medical Faculty of the University of Pennsylvania.

  • Kane, Elisha Kent, 1820-1857.
Date:
[1842]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Experiments on kiesteine : with remarks on its application to the diagnosis of pregnancy : an inaugural dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by Elisha K. Kane ; published by the recommendation of the Medical Faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    using ammonia, the reverse was the case. The crystals, nearly unaltered, remained unusually distinct; while, by the careful addition of water, the granular and other matter, much softened, was readily washed away, leaving the supposed triple phosphates remaining. When the pellicle has been for a short time exposed under the micro- scope, the natural salts of the urine are developed by evaporation, present- ing numerous shining crystals of varied forms; among the most prominent of which are the triangular and the obscurely marked hexagonal prisms. The cubic crystals, which M. Eguisier describes, as present in the true pel- licle after it becomes old, I have never seen. In a few cases of both kies- teinic and other pellicles, a hollow four-sided pyramid was observed, resem- bling the chloride of sodium, and in one case a regularly formed cube. This was the nearest approach to the appearances mentioned by Eguisier. In the pellicle not kiesteinic, the peculiar granular arrangement noticed as so strongly resembling the colostrum, was in no case present. Amorphous darkish masses, accompanied by various crystalline forms, were seen only. Where much discoloration existed from sanguineous or lochial intermixture, a strong resemblance was observed to the globule of the blood. The shining appearance of the kiesteine is evidently not owing to fatty matter, unless under very peculiar modifications. Neither do I think it entirely owing to the numerous crystals of the triple phosphates, observed by Dr. Bird. I apprehend, that the specimens, in which he found them so abun- dant, may have been exposed for some minutes to evaporation; as I have remarked, that under such circumstances, the proper salts of the urine de- velop themselves rapidly in their crystalline forms. I would rather refer the glossy character of the surface to the presence of animal matters gene- rally in the pellicle, without adducing either its fatty elements or the crystals on its surface as the explanation. It may be proper that I should close this paper by some remarks on the value of the kiesteine as a diagnostic of pregnancy. I do so with diffidence, for my opinions are not sustained by the judgment of the more experienced observers who have preceded me. I cannot regard the kiesteine as an unerring test of pregnancy. I have already shown that it is present under other conditions of the system; and even where pregnancy exists, I am satisfied that this indication is not always observable. I am convinced too, that the kiesteine is not always distinguishable from other pellicles which appear on the surface of the urine. At least, I am bound to say, that, in the absence of other indications, I should sometimes have found myself unable to distinguish between them. Not that they are a beam of polarised light and analysing the ray by means of tourmaline, not a trace of colour was perceptible.