ABSTRACT
Naturally voided body fluids obtained noninvasively include urine, saliva, sweat, pus draining from wounds, serum draining from burns, and, for purposes of continuity, feces. This chapter describes various instrumental means used in laboratory medicine to measure the concentrations of physiologically important ions used in medical diagnosis. Most tests for disorders of blood electrolytes also have counterparts in the NI measurement of ions in the urine, and urine flow rate. The chapter also describes necessary diagnostic signs based on measurement of urine electrolytes, glucose, proteins, enzymes, and so on. It deals with what can be learned from the ionic concentration of saliva. The chapter considers analysis of gases in the breath to detect diseases such as diabetes mellitus, lung infections, throat infections, sinus infections, gum disease, stomach ulcers, and so on. It explores the instrumental methods used in medical laboratory analysis with consideration of dispersive spectroscopy.
