46 INTRODUCTION. 



These salts are found in all the fluids and solids of the 

 body, though not existing in a very large proportion, com- 

 pared with the phosphate of lime, which we have already 

 considered. In their relations to organized structures, they 

 are analogous to the phosphate of lime ; entering into the 

 composition of the tissues, and existing there in a state of 

 intimate combination. They are all taken into the body 

 with food, especially by the carnivora, in the fluids of which 

 they are found in much greater abundance than the carbo- 

 nates ; which latter, as we have already seen, are in great 

 part the result of the decomposition by carbonic acid of the 

 malates, tartrates, oxalates, etc. 



With respect to their functions, we can only say that, 

 with the phosphate of lime, they go to form, and are neces- 

 sary constituents of, the organized structures. 



They are discharged from the body in the urine and 

 feces. 



Sulphate of Soda, NaO, SO , + 10 HO ; Sulphate of 

 Potassa, KO, SO 3 ; Sulphate of Lime, CaO, SO 3 + 2 HO. 



The sulphate of soda and the sulphate of potassa are 

 identical in their situation, and apparently in their functions. 

 They are found in all the fluids and solids of the body, ex- 

 cepting milk, bile, and gastric juice. Their origin in the 

 body is from the food, in which they are contained in small 

 quantity, and they are discharged in the tirine. Their chief 

 function appears to be in the blood, where they tend to pre- 

 serve the fluidity of the fibrin and albumen, and the form 

 and consistence of the blood corpuscles. 



The sulphate of lime is found in the blood and feces. It 

 is introduced into the body in solution in the water which is 

 used as drink, and is discharged in the feces. 



Its function is not understood, and is probably not very 

 important. 



