N. MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND HYGIENE. 525 



K MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND 



HYGIENE. 



JOLLY ON PHOSPHATE OF LIME. 



Dr. Jolly, in correction of a previous memoir on the phos- 

 phate of lime, remarks that of the two elements, phosphoric 

 acid and lime, constituting the soluble and insoluble, the 

 former is absorbed in a certain proportion at once ; the sec- 

 ond, or the lime, is rejected almost entirely by the intestinal 

 canal. 



The soluble preparations of the phosphate of lime act final- 

 ly as acid principles ; then, in consequence of the changes 

 which they undergo in the intestines, they act secondarily 

 as phosphatic agents of another base. 12 B^Jime 30, 548. 



HYPODERMIC INJECTION OF LACTATE OF SODA. 



Dr. Preyer, of Jena, has called renewed attention to the 

 fact that a preparation of lactate of soda injected under the 

 skin, or introduced into the stomach, will produce a somno- 

 lence quite similar to natural slumber. The application of 

 this through the mouth has been tried with much success 

 in some cases, although in others it has been quite ineffica- 

 cious. 13 B, April 22, 1876, 534. 



THERAPEUTICAL VALUE OF SILPHIUM. 



Considerable attention has lately been paid to the subject 

 of the therapeutical value of plants of the genus Silphiuyn^ 

 to which the well-known " compass weed " of the Western 

 prairies belongs. It is used more particularly in cases of 

 phthisis, and, according to Dr. Laval, produces the following 

 results: First, the reappearance of appetite, if this has disap- 

 peared ; second, the relief of the difficulty in breathing and 

 an easier respiration ; third, a much less painful cough, the 

 phlegm being more natural, and indicating less the phenom- 

 ena of tuberculosis. All these effects, increase of appetite, 

 augmentation and modification of the bronchial secretions, 

 and easier respiration, show that important functional activ- 

 ity is produced by the use of the medicine. 



