Urinalysis, the first laboratory test, has had a long and fascinating history. Diagnoses and prognostications were made by ancient physicians after observation of the urine’s color and character. Over the centuries, the uro-scopist’s skills, aided by newer and more modern physical and chemical methods being continually applied to the evaluation of the urine, were greatly enhanced. Examination of the urine often served as a basis for the practice of medicine. Today, urinalysis remains an important laboratory test for patient diagnosis, with sophisticated chemical, immunologic, and microscopic techniques being utilized. This article traces the history of urinoscopy from ancient to modern times; it is a history which parallels that of medicine itself.

Meryl H.Haber, Pisse Prophecy: A Brief History of Urinalysis, Clinics in Laboratory Medicine Volume 8, Issue 3, September 1988, Pages 415-430 doi 10.1016/S0272-2712(18)30665-6