The Course of the Prostatic Ducts and the Anatomy, Chemical and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of Prostatic Calculi

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Abstract
Huggins and Bear studied the chemical composition of prostatic calculi, since quantitative analyses have not been reported in the past. Six untreated sets of prostatic calculi were analysed. The various methods employed are described. The chemical composition of prostatic calculi varied over a narrow range. The organic components, about 20%, included protein (8%), cholesterol (3.7-10.6%) and citrate (0.17-2.9%). The principal inorganic constituent was Ca3(PO4)2, presumably with an apatite constitution. Carbonate was somewhat less than in bone; otherwise chemical and x-ray analyses revealed close similarity of the inorganic constituents of prostatic calculi and the bone salt.