Brown urine which turns black on standing contains the body pigment melanin and may mean a tumor growth in the body. Clear urine which turns black on standing or after drying on cloth might indicate the rare disease ochronosis, which produces a bluish-black pigment in the whites of the eyes and about the ears and nose. A blue color, an occasional reddish tint and even a yellowish green fluorescence in the dark, may occur from ingesting certain elements often used in laxatives and vitamins.

The normal urine forms a slight white foam when shaken moderately. If considerable foam forms, almost like a soap solution, there is probably protein in the urine, indicating disease. If the foam in the urine is yellow, it is probable again that bile has entered the urine. The odor of urine is characteristic, well-known and after standing for several hours, changes in the urine normally bring about an ammonia odor. An odor of sweet fruit in the urine is an indication of acetone and most probably means severe diabetes. A foul odor sometimes noticed in urine results almost entirely from infection.

A simple test for sugar in the urine is tasting it. A drop on the fingertips, if tasted, usually reveals the presence of sugar. This of course, may mean diabetes, in which sugar is so frequently found in the urine. A matter of continual interest in the urine, is its acidity or alkalinity. In health the urine reflects the body’s normal acidity, exactly as it is in the blood stream and this measurement is routinely ascertained in laboratory urine analysis. When the body goes through punishing episodes, such as pneumonia or diabetes, the body itself becomes a trifle on the acid side and the urine responds by quickly excreting the excess acid to again bring the body acid balance back to its normal level. In other instances, especially in ulcer patients, the body may become more alkaline than is usual, because of long periods of alkaline medications for stomach difficulties. The urine then becomes distinctly more alkaline to again help the body regain its acid alkaline balance.

Personal testing of urine for acidity or alkalinity is now easily possible by using inexpensive litmus paper which indicates acid levels of urine through changes in its color. Most drug stores carry some form of litmus paper. These personal observations bring to light many abnormalities of urine but do not make a complete or definite diagnosis of certain disease. However, obvious abnormalities in the urine as described above, should not be overlooked through sheer ignorance, as such findings are clear warnings that something has gone amiss within the body and that it is time for the schooled study and opinion of the physician.

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