LIME WATER 205 



Ca (OH) 2 . A pint of water at 32 Fahr. dissolves 13-25 

 grains of lime ; a pint at 69 Fahr., 11-6 grains ; a pint at 

 212 Fahr., 6 s 7 grains. The presence of sugar increases 

 fully twelve times the solubility of lime in water. Lime- 

 water (aqua Calcis) is prepared by adding two ounces of 

 washed Calcium hydroxide to one gallon of distilled water, 

 agitating briskly, allowing undissolved matters to subside, 

 and, after a few hours, syphoning off the clear solution. 

 As it readily absorbs carbonic acid, it should be kept in 

 closely-stoppered bottles. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Lime is irritant, astringent by contact, 

 antacid, and sedative. It is a natural constituent of the 

 animal textures, in which it occurs mainly in combination 

 with phosphoric and carbonic acids ; but, being present in 

 most articles of food, extra supplies are seldom required. 

 When swallowed, there is probably deposited on the gastric 

 mucous membrane a film of carbonate, which is dissolved by 

 hydrochloric or lactic acid, slowly absorbed as chloride or 

 lactate, reconverted in the blood into carbonate, held in 

 solution by the free carbonic acid, and ultimately excreted 

 by the kidneys, increasing the alkalinity of the urine, 

 diminishing its irritant qualities, and perhaps exerting 

 astringent effects on the urinary mucous membrane. Lime, 

 especially when unslaked, and in contact with mucous and 

 abraded skin surfaces, attracts water, forms a coating of 

 carbonate, and possibly combines with albumin, and, in 

 considerable amount, it irritates and superficially corrodes. 

 Orfila mentions that 1J drachms administered to a small 

 dog caused vomiting and considerable irritation, which 

 lasted for about a day ; and that three drachms caused 

 vomiting, pain, languor, and death in five days. 



MEDICINAL USES. Lime-water is used as an antacid and 

 sedative in indigestion and diarrhrea in all classes of patients. 

 Young animals, with which undiluted milk happens to dis- 

 agree, are usually benefited by mixing the milk with one- 

 fourth to one-half of lime-water, which prevents acidity and 

 coagulation of the casein in large tough masses. Lime- 

 water is appropriate for gastric derangement, while the less 

 soluble chalk, retaining longer its antacid and desiccant 

 properties, is better adapted for intestinal acidity. When 



