28 ACTION OF INORGANIC SALTS 



disorders (Forscheimer) : CaCl2 used with normal saline in asiatic cholera; 

 in addition to salt bath in chronic bronchitis; to control gastric hemor- 

 rhage; in epidemic dropsy, in hematuria complicating scarlet fever, before 

 operation in catarrhal jaundice, to obviate quinine intolerance. 



Barium. The barium ion, like calcium, has special affinity for muscle. 

 The action in general is that of a tonic constriction more forceful than 

 that given by calcium. When the chloride is given by mouth, it produces 

 violent pains, nausea, and vomiting, due to its action on the plain muscles 

 of the stomach. Like calcium it is absorbed very slowly. Barium chlor- 

 ide is sometimes given internally in cardiac disease. Forscheimer says 

 it is indicated to prevent the anaphylactic reaction. 



Strontium. The bromide, iodide, salicylate, and lactate are used at 

 times. The specific effects produced are, however, attributable to the 

 negative ions. The specific action of the metal ion has not been fully 

 determined. 



Magnesium. When magnesium salts are injected, they affect primar- 

 ily the medullary centers, producing unconsciousness, and a fall of blood 

 pressure. All tissues are depressed in fact. Calcium relieves this condi- 

 tion immediately, due probably to the formation of slightly ionized triple 

 phosphate. When applied to a nerve trunk, MgSC>4 blocks the nerve 

 impulse. These results are not obtained, however, from its oral adminis- 

 tration, because of the slight extent to which it is absorbed. All salts of 

 magnesium are said to change to the acid carbonate in the intestine. 

 MgSO 4 is probably the best of our saline laxatives, its action being due to 

 osmotic changes due to salt concentration. The sulphate, carbonate, 

 and oxide, the latter in two forms each light and heavy, are the chief com- 

 pounds used. The oxide and the carbonate are antacids as well as laxa- 

 tives. The salts of magnesium are indicated in the following disorders: 

 Magnesia, gastric hyperacidity, acute gastritis, chronic constipation, 

 milk of Mg, following calomel in membranous laryngitis, mouth wash in 

 diabetes mellitus, in nephritis. Mg. citrate, to expel tape-worms, to empty 

 gastro-intestinal tract in pneumonia. Mg. salicylate, in peristaltic unrest. 

 MgSC>4, in acute alcohob'sm, fibrinous pleurisy, acute gastritis, acute 

 nephritis, in bacillary dysentery, in biliousness, chronic alcoholism, in 

 chronic catarrhal jaundice, constipation, wood alcohol poisoning, modi- 

 fication of the severity of pleurisy, prevention of lead poison. 



Cerium. Only one salt of cerium, the oxalate, is important. It is 

 insoluble in water so that ion action seems improbable. Just how effi- 

 cient this compound is medicinally is hard to say, since absorption seems 

 to be nil. It has been used as a remedy in vomiting in pregnancy, and 

 also for relief of gastric crises in tabes (Forscheimer). Its beneficial 

 effects are attributed to local protective action similar to that of bismuth. 



Aluminum. The salts of aluminum are typical mineral astringents 

 and antiseptics. The most used salt is the aluminum potassium sulphate 



