Uric Acid, Total Non-Protein Nitrogen and Urea Nitrogen in Blood

(The Figures represent Milligrams per 100 grams of Blood.)

Uric
acid.
Non-protein
nitrogen.
Urea
nitrogen.
Rabbit (6 cases)0·053113
Sheep (mixed blood)0·052813
Pig (mixed blood)0·053214
Horse (1 case, anti-toxin animal)0·055428
Monkey (1 case, poliomyelitis)0·056038
Beef (mixed blood)0·22414
Cat (2 cases, diet, liver)0·26034
Cat (2 cases, diet, milk and eggs)0·26737
Cat (2 cases, diet, rice and cream)0·23120
Chicken (6 cases, mixed blood)4·9328
Duck (4 cases, mixed blood)4·8347
Goose (1 case)4·8268

The most striking feature of these findings is the marked contrast between the uric acid blood content of mammals as opposed to avians. In the former the amount is minimal—0·2 mg. or less per 100 grams of blood. On the other hand, in the blood of birds, in whose instance the origin of uric acid is so different, it is present in relatively large amounts. As Folin and Denis observe, the small amounts of urea in the blood of birds, as compared with that of mammals, is also worthy of note.

Reverting now to the findings in human subjects, as observed by Folin and Denis, these have been summarised as follows by Walker Hall:—