urine

The Flask at Hand

Medieval and Renaissance-era physicians were forbidden by the Church to cut into a body, living or dead. That distasteful work was left to the barber surgeons. So in order to diagnose a patient’s problem, physicians couldn’t do much besides checking… Read More

Analyze This

In Henry IV, part 2, Falstaff asks a page, “What says the doctor to my water?” In Twelfth Night, when Malvolio is believed to be mad, Fabbio suggests that they “carry his water to the wise woman” to be diagnosed.… Read More

This May Sting

Natural antiseptics were widely recognized in the ancient world. Egyptians used honey and myrrh to promote healing. Greeks used urine, wine, or vinegar on open wounds.… Read More

All that Glitters

German scientist Hennig Brand stored 50 buckets of urine in his cellar in 1675, hoping it would turn into gold. Instead it led to his discovery of the element phosphorous.… Read More

No Sweat

On the International Space Station, NASA’s water recovery system can recycle about 93 percent of astronauts’ sweat and urine back into drinking water that “meets or exceeds most municipal water product standards.” Source: NASA at http://tinyurl.com/6leglp… Read More