POTASSIUM CARBONATES 179 



Pawlow on dogs have, however, shown conclusively that 

 alkalies lessen the secretion of gastric juices. In many 

 cases of indigestion there is an irritated mucous membrane 

 which continues to secrete a weak slimy juice. By inhibiting 

 this useless secretion, and allowing the gastric glands a rest- 

 ing interval, alkalies do greatly benefit these cases. They 

 should be given one or two hours before a meal. Given 

 after meals, they neutralise excess of acid, resulting from 

 undue secretion of gastric fluid, or from such acid fermenta- 

 tion of starch, sugar, or fats as occurs among carelessly fed 

 calves. In rheumatism, small repeated doses of alkaline 

 bicarbonates sometimes prove beneficial, apparently by 

 neutralising excess of sarco-lactic acid, and encouraging 

 the action of the kidneys. In such cases they are con- 

 joined, according to circumstances, with oil of turpentine, 

 salicylic acid, quinine, or potassium iodide. Similar antacid 

 treatment is also successful in nettle-rash, and occasionally 

 in eczema, a diluted solution being also applied externally 

 to raw, weeping, painful, or itching surfaces. Potassium 

 carbonates are specially suitable for preventing uric acid 

 deposits, which occasionally occur in dogs ; they render the 

 urine less acid, and since hyperacidity is the chief factor in' 

 the deposition of uric acid crystals, they prevent the forma- 

 tion of calculi. The potassium salt is much more soluble 

 than the sodium urate. Calculi and deposits occur in the 

 bladder and urethra of highly-fed rams and wethers. In the 

 treatment of these cases, Litt recommends castor oil, fij. 

 to fgviij., with belladonna extract, grs. viij. to grs. xvj., 

 followed by potassium bicarbonate, 3 SS - to 3J-> freely 

 dissolved in water or other diluent. As diuretics, the 

 carbonates are less certain than the nitrate or acetate. 



Externally, the carbonates are applied as stimulants and 

 detergents. Used with soap and hot water, they soften and 

 remove skin incrustation, whether consisting of sebaceous 

 matters, thickened scales, abnormal discharges, or dirt. 

 Diluted with 100 to 200 parts of water, along with a little 

 glycerin, the carbonate forms a soothing dressing for the 

 earlier weeping stages of eczema, especially in dogs. The 

 itching parts should be kept continually wetted, while, to 

 prevent evaporation, the wet lint should be covered with 



