47 



It contained in each fluid ounce by calculation about 

 18 grains of Citrate of Soda 

 1| „ „ Magnesia 



I „ „ Potash 



1 „ Sulphate of Magnesia 

 i „ » Lime 



i „ Citric Acid 

 with less than half a grain of undecomposed Chlorides. 



To analyse this liquid therapeutically, it may be broadly 

 stated that Salts of Potash are diuretic, Salts of Magnesia 

 aperient, and Salts of Soda neutral, except in excessive 

 doses or in combination with acids of varying medicinal 

 action, thus, Soda in Nitric Acid, Nitrate of Soda is a 

 diuretic, following the law of Nitrates as Nitrate of Potash, 

 a most powerful diuretic, Nitrous ^ther, &c. &c, ; whilst 

 Soda in combination with Sulphuric Acid as Sulphate of 

 Soda is aperient, following the law of Sulphates which 

 increase aperient action, as in Sulphate of Magnesia, &c. 



Thus it would seem that Soda holds the scales evenly 

 between Potash and Magnesia in this medical sense and 

 that it is weighted, so to speak, on either side by the kind 

 of mineral acid with which it may be combined. 



With non-poisonous vegetable acids, and these slightly in 

 excess, there is not such an effect produced. 



Sodium is an important constituent of the human body, 

 and Citric Acid, from its carbon almost a food. Although 

 no one would advocate saline drinks in excess, yet, under 

 especial circumstances, the solution of it in the form of 

 Citrate can hardly be hurtful when used to moisten the 

 throat and tongue, for it will never be used under cir- 

 cumstances where it can be taken in large quantities. 



In the converted sea- water the bulk of the solids is com- 

 posed of inert Citrate of Soda. There is a little Citrate of 

 Potash which is a feeble diuretic ; a little Citrate and Sul- 

 phate of Magnesia, a slight aperient, corrected however by 



