When the amount exceeds two per cent, it indicates fever, or that the person drinks too little water to dissolve and eliminate the nitrogenous proximate principles of the body, or that he has been perspiring profusely. Azoturia is the name applied to this condition. In some cases it is accompanied by a corresponding increase in the excretion of water; in others both the relative and absolute quantities are greater, and crystals of the nitrate of urea appear upon the addition of nitric acid. This increase may occur temporarily without causing symptoms; but when it persists, it is usually followed by derangement of the stomach and bowels, nervous disorders, acidity, flatulency, languor, restlessness and a frequent desire to urinate. There is azoturia in diabetes, and some suppose it to be the first stage of that disease. The specific gravity will be about 1.030 or more.

Diminished Excretion Of Urea is of much graver import and may merge into uraemia. It may be caused by extreme emotion, excessive drinking, exposure to chill." It is diminished in Bright's disease with contracted kidney, in some chronic organic affections, and often preceding the paroxysms of rheumatism, gout and asthma.*