132 INORGANIC AGENTS 



commune or culinare, cliloruretum sodicum, E.; natrium 

 chloratum purum, P. G.; cblorure de sodium, sel commun, 

 sel de cuisine, Fr.; chlornatrium, kochsalz, G. 



Derivation. — Mined in native state and obtained by- 

 evaporation of brine, spring or sea water. 



Properties. — Colorless, transparent, cubical crystals, or 

 a white, crystalline powder, odorless, and having a purely- 

 saline taste. Permanent in dry air. Soluble in 2.8 parts of 

 water ; almost insoluble in alcohol ; insoluble in ether or 

 chloroform. Reaction neutral. 



i)ose.— Cathartic, C, ibss.-i. (250.-500.); Sh., 5i.-ii. 

 (30.-60.). 



Action External. — Salt is a stimulant to the skin when 

 applied in concentrated solution. 



Action Internal. — Salt is an essential constituent of food, 

 and necessary to the composition of blood serum, from which 

 it is constantly eliminated in the urine. Animals deprived 

 of salt suffer from anaemia, general weakness and oedema. 



Stomach and Intestines. — Salt has caused gastro-enteritis 

 and death in enormous doses. Large doses occasion emesis 

 in dogs. Salt combines with lactic acid in the stomach to 

 form sodium lactate, and in the process sets free hydro- 

 chloric acid. Hydrochloric acid, in its turn, promotes the 

 formation of pepsin from pepsinogen of the gastric tubules. 

 Salt, therefore, improves gastric digestion. Salt acts in the 

 bowels as a mild hydragogue purgative. It is unfit as a 

 cathartic for horses or dogs, but is useful for cattle and 

 sheep when combined with magnesium or sodium sulphate. 

 Salt creates thirst and, therefore, promotes the ingestion of 

 water. A large supply of water flushes the system* and 

 removes deleterious and imperfectly oxidized matters. 



Blood. — The red corpuscles are augmented by salt. 



Metabolism. — Salt increases tissue change and tends to 

 elevate temperature. The appetite is also sharpened owing 

 to the ingestion of water and metabolic activity. 



Summary. — Emetic, cathartic, digestive, alterative. 

 . Uses External. — A solution consisting of one ounce each 



