350 ALKALIES AND ALKALINE EARTHS 



circulation, and through its acid ion, irritates the stomach, intes- 

 tines and kidneys, and changes the hemoglobin of the blood to methe- 

 moglobin. The first symptoms of poisoning are abdominal pain, 

 thirst, vomiting and purging. Cyanosis is always present and is 

 accompanied by asphyxia and the usual symptoms of heart depres- 

 sion. The urine is scanty, high colored, contains albumen and pig- 

 mented tube casts, together with the residue of red cells. 



Uses. It is an excellent application in inflammatory affections 

 of the throat and mouth, as in pharyngitis and various forms of 

 stomatitis, and may be used in the strength of 10 to 20 grains to one 

 ounce of water for this purpose. In acute pharyngitis it is fre- 

 quently useful to add tannic acid or some preparation of tannin to 

 the solution. 



It is a specific for ulcerous stomatitis in man, and should be 

 given internally as well as applied externally. For this purpose it 

 can be given in doses of from 3 to 5 grains, well diluted with water, 

 every two hours until the symptoms begin to subside, then less fre- 

 quently. 



SODIUM 



The action of the sodium ion is not pronounced. Animals take 

 in large amounts with their food and any excess over the amount 

 required is promptly eliminated. Sollman says, " But when they 

 are retained, these ions (CI and 'Na.) produce only small actions, 

 for the amounts normally present are so large that the artificial in- 

 troduction of ordinary amounts will not increase their ratio to any 

 considerable extent." 



Sodium salts are less depressant to the circulatory, muscular and 

 nervous systems and less irritant to the gastrointestinal tract than 

 the corresponding salts of potash. 



SODII HYDROXIDUM — SODIUM HYDRATE 



Synonyms. Sodium Hydroxide, Caustic Soda 



Sodium hydrate occurs in white translucent pencils or fused 

 masses, deliquescent, odorless, acrid caustic taste, and of an intensely 

 alkaline reaction. It is soluble in water and alcohol. 



Preparation. 



Liquor Sodii Hydroxidi — 5 per cent. 



These agents resemble the corresponding preparations of potas- 

 sium and are used for the same purposes as these drugs. They 

 are not used internally. 



