True Story

[Gregory Matthews]

Why did I think about this today?  Well, I did and the following is actually true.

Some years ago I was assigned to a unit stationed on the DMZ in South Korea.  The officers of that unit lived in a building that shared a common kitchen where they could keep snack foods.  Someone began drinking the orange juice that belonged to the unit medic.  Finally he had enough of that so, he added some phenolphthalein to his orange juice and waited.
 
NOTE:  Phenolphthalein can be used in medicine and is not a poison.  While colorless in an acidic solution, it can change to a pink/red  color in a basic solution.

A short time later, the company commander came to  him in desperate need.  He was about to take a mid-tour leave to visit his wife.  He had begun to urinate a pink to red urine.

Gravely the medic informed the commander that he was gravely ill and would need to undergo extensive treatment before he could take his leave.

Finally, after some extended discussion, the medic informed the commander that there was an alternative treatment that just might work.  If the commander would stop stealing the medics orange juice, his urine just might clear up.

NOTE:  Human urine, over a day ranges in Ph from 6.5 to 8.