MAGNESIUM. 53 



3. SPECIFIC ACTION AND USES. 



The important part played by lime as a constituent of boned 

 has suggested its " use as a specific remedy in rickets, 

 fractures, and other lesions of these structures ; and the phos- 

 phates and lime-water are extensively used for the two former 

 conditions. The phosphate and the chloride have been recom- 

 mended in scrofulous diseases of glands and phthisis, to pro- 

 mote absorption, or possibly to induce calcification ; and appa- 

 rently with some reason. None of the calcareous mineral 

 however, are of much service in this respect. 



4. KEMOTE LOCAL ACTION AND USES. 



The greater part of lime or its salts being expelled by the 

 bowel, little remains to be excreted by the kidney, so that their 

 diuretic and alkaline effects are not marked. Their most 

 useful form for influencing the urine is Bath or Wildungen 

 water. 



5. ACTION AND USES OP THE DIFFERENT SALTS OF LIME. 



Greta in its various forms and combinations Liquor Calcis 

 and Liquor Calcis Saccharatus possesses the general effects and 

 uses of lime. Calcii Chloridum is a gastric sedative, but is also 

 a specific in scrofulous enlargement of glands ; and is used in 

 testing. Calcis Phosphas is a specific in bone diseases and 

 scrofula. Calx Chlorata and its derivates are media for supplying 

 chlorine, and used accordingly. Calcis Hypophosphis is employed 

 as a specific in tuberculosis and other wasting diseases. In the 

 remaining preparations the action of the lime or chalk is com- 

 paratively insignificant, as, e.g., in the three preparations of 

 mercury, of which they are ingredients, and in antimonial 

 powder. 



MAGNESIUM. Mg. 24. 



The following are the officinal salts and prepara- 

 tions of magnesium, arranged according to their 

 source : 



JflsigiicslaB Sulphas. Sulphate of Magnesia. 



Epsom Suit. MgiSU..7ina 



Source. Native. 



Characters. Minute colourless rhombic prisms, with a 

 bitter taste. Solubility, 10 in 13 parts of cold water. Incom- 

 patible with alkaline carbonates, lime- water, acetate of It-uJ, 

 uuJ nitrate of silver. 



