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'''Urine''' is liquid [[biology|biological]] waste excreted by the [[kidney]]s. The [[human]] body produces urine, as do all [[mammals]], [[reptile]]s, [[birds]], [[fish]], and [[amphibian]]s. Urine is mostly [[water]], and also contains [[urea]], [[creatinine]], waste [[enzymes]] and [[hormone]]s, [[protein]]s, [[carbohydrate]]s and fatty [[acid]]s.<ref>[http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/Topics/Urinary_System_Composition_Urine.php Urinalysis - The composition of Urine]</ref> Urine also contains large numbers of [[bacteria]], so coming into contact with or ingesting it is unhygienic and can be harmful.

'''Urine''' is liquid [[biology|biological]] waste excreted by the [[kidney]]s. The [[human]] body produces urine, as do all [[mammals]], [[reptile]]s, [[birds]], [[fish]], and [[amphibian]]s. Urine is mostly [[water]], and also contains [[urea]], [[creatinine]], waste [[enzymes]] and [[hormone]]s, [[protein]]s, [[carbohydrate]]s and fatty [[acid]]s.<ref>[http://www.ivy-rose.co.uk/Topics/Urinary_System_Composition_Urine.php Urinalysis - The composition of Urine]</ref> Urine also contains large numbers of [[bacteria]], so coming into contact with or ingesting it is unhygienic and can be harmful.

Urine has been used since ancient times for bleaching cloth and even for brushing teeth. Roman emperor [[Vespasian]] levied a tax on stale urine, obtained from street latrines and urns placed for the purpose of collection, and stored for several days, which allowed bacteria to development abundant [[ammonia]] content, commonly used for bleaching cloth<ref>See the following articles:<br>[http://www.wisegeek.com/is-it-true-that-people-can-use-urine-for-bleaching.htm Is It True That People can Use Urine for Bleaching? (wisegeek.com)]<br>[http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/money-does-not-stink-urine-tax-ancient-rome-003408 Money Does Not Stink: The Urine Tax of Ancient Rome (ancient-origins.net)]</ref>.

Urine has been used since ancient times for bleaching cloth and even for brushing teeth. Roman emperor [[Vespasian]] levied a tax on stale urine, obtained from street latrines and urns placed for the purpose of collection, and stored for several days, which allowed bacteria to development abundant [[ammonia]] content, commonly used for bleaching cloth.<ref>See the following articles:<br>[http://www.wisegeek.com/is-it-true-that-people-can-use-urine-for-bleaching.htm Is It True That People can Use Urine for Bleaching? (wisegeek.com)]<br>[http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/money-does-not-stink-urine-tax-ancient-rome-003408 Money Does Not Stink: The Urine Tax of Ancient Rome (ancient-origins.net)]</ref>

Sociologically, urine's smell and the potential harm it can cause in terms of infection make it [[taboo]] in many cultures. Urinating on objects [[desecration by urine|is sometimes done]] in order to show extreme disapproval, or to humiliate, although such behavior has no place in civilized society. In [[James Clavell]]'s novel ''Shõgun'' the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] ship's captain Blackthorn is punished for insulting his Japanese captor, by literally doing to Blackthorn what Blackthorn had figuratively said to him, as a "lesson".

Sociologically, urine's smell and the potential harm it can cause in terms of infection make it [[taboo]] in many cultures. Urinating on objects [[desecration by urine|is sometimes done]] in order to show extreme disapproval, or to humiliate, although such behavior has no place in civilized society. In [[James Clavell]]'s novel ''Shõgun'' the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] ship's captain Blackthorn is punished for insulting his Japanese captor, by literally doing to Blackthorn what Blackthorn had figuratively said to him, as a "lesson".