From: slkg9733@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Steven L. Kellmeyer)
Subject: Re: Why Is Peeing Yucky?
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 04:52:03 GMT

shimeall@taurus.cs.nps.navy.mil (timothy shimeall) writes:

>In article <Bs6q12.I7n@news.cso.uiuc.edu> slkg9733@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Steven L. Kellmeyer) writes:
>>No toxic substances, either (Again, a high electrolyte
>>content, probably, but nothing toxic - after all it came from a living
>>organism, that is presumably not dying from toxic shock).

>Sorry, Ammonia and Urea are both toxic substances (to humans). That's
>why they are excreted from the body in the first place -- or haven't
>you heard what happens when someone's kidneys shut down?

True, true, I spoke too fast.  

>While the 
>concentration absorbed through a wound _probably_ won't be fatal, it
>should be emphasized that peeing on someones wound is an _emergency_
>measure, when _nothing_else_ of preferable nature is possible and when
>other treatments are deferred.

Oh please.  Sure, urine has ammonia and urea in it, but there's no 
way simple wound contact is going to send someone into toxic shock.
The stuff is simply too dilute.  Kidney failure causes death after 
DAYS of non-performance.  I wouldn't drink urine, but you should 
keep in mind that it is, in fact, used as an ingredient in drinks in
some parts of the world.  There are several tribes in which some members
eat an hallucinogenic substance (and suffer hangovers) while other members
drink the urine of the 'shroom eaters, thus gaining the psychodelic 
experience without the hangover.  

>Personally, I carry a bottle of "Bactine" while backpacking, and use
>that to treat cuts, scrapes, etc. (Along with sterile gauze,
>anticeptic wipes, etc.)

Lovely.  Hope you never lose it.

>To return to the original question: Peeing is yucky because urine
>contains substances that:
>  + Are toxic

Yeah, chlorine is toxic too.  I guess you don't swim in chlorinated
pools?

>  + Encourage bacteria growth

News flash.  Human blood also "encourages bacteria growth".  So does
human tissue. Washing a wound with urine will not encourage bacteria 
growth any more than it's ALREADY being encouraged by having found a
nice warm, moist, nutrient-rich place to stay (e.g. in  a big cut on
your arm).  However, washing the wound with a sterile fluid (such as
urine) WILL clean the little buggers out of there before sepsis sets in.

>  + Are emitted from a bacteria-rich area of the body, which is often
>    handled in the course of urinating

Well, yes, skin is bacteria-rich.  All of it.  You're walking in a 
space suit (your skin).  The outside is dirty, the inside is sterile.
The bacteria concentration around your genitals is no higher (or lower)
than the bacteria concentration on your back, arms, elbows, knees,
or neck.  It's almost certainly lower than the concentration on your feet
or hands after a day of hiking.

>So the rule of choice is "wash your hands after you go".
>				Tim

>-- 
>Tim Shimeall ((408) 646-2509)
>The proper response to detecting a bug isn't to fix the bug - it's to make 
>sure you'll never have to worry about that bug again.  --- Richard Hamming

So you don't like the idea of washing an open wound with urine.
Fine.
But don't make up silly reasons not to do it.  The Boy Scouts are
right on this one.  Urine is a perfectly acceptable emergency wash
solution.  It's clean, it's readily available, and it gets the job done.
It will not cause toxic shock, and it isn't going to cause bacteria
to suddenly sprout up like mushrooms after a morning rain since it's
growth media qualities are no better or worse than the wound being
washed.

Steve Kellmeyer