SODII BICARBONAS — SODIUM BICARBONATE 351 



*SODII CARBONAS — SODIUM CARBONATE 



Synonyms. Washing Soda, Sal Soda 

 Preparations. 



*8odii CarbonMS Exsiccatus — Dried Sodium Carbonate. 

 Doses. H. 3ij— vj; 8.-25. D. gr. v— xx; 0.3—1.3. 



8odii Carbonas Monohydratus — Monohydrated Sodium Car- 

 bonate. Doses. Same as for the dried carbonate. 



Sodium carbonate occurs in colorless crystals; the dried car- 

 bonate and monohydrated carbonate as white powders. They are all 

 soluble in water and strongly alkaline. They are antacid but rarely 

 used in medicine. The monohydrated carbonate is specified in the 

 manufacture of glycerin suppositories. 



SODII BICARBONAS — SODIUM BICARBONATE 



Synonym. Baking Soda. 



Sodium bicarbonate occurs as a white, opaque, odorless powder, 

 having a cooling and faintly alkaline taste. It is soluble in 10 parts 

 of water, insoluble in alcohol. 



Doses. H. and C. gss — ij ; 15. — 60. Sh. and Sw. 3j — iv; 

 4.-15. D. gr. V— xx; 0.3—1.3, 



External Action. Sodium bicarbonate in solution is a solvent 

 for dried exudates in mange, eczema, etc. It is sedative to mucous 

 membranes and is a solvent for mucus. In the form of a paste or in 

 solution it is a sedative application for burns, erythema, insect stings 

 and bites. 



Gastrointestinal Tract. Sodium bicarbonate neutralizes gas- 

 trie acidity, whether this is normal or pathological, and dissolves 

 mucus. In neutralizing acids CO 2 is liberated ; this is sedative to 

 the part and a stimulant to peristalsis. Thus it relieves pain and 

 aids in the expulsion of gas. 



It inhibits salivary, gastric and pancreatic secretion, renders the 

 chyme neutral or alkaline and interferes with digestion. The action 

 of an alkali upon the stomach varies somewhat with the contents of 

 the stomach and time of administration. When given to an empty 

 stomach sodium bicarbonate simply dissolves the mucus and is 

 absorbed into the blood as the bicarbonate, increasing the alkalinity 

 of it. When administered during digestion it interferes with diges- 

 tion and acts as mentioned above. In this case the CO2 is 

 liberated and the sodium is absorbed as the chloride. 



Uses. Externally to relieve minor burns, and to soften or dis-" 

 * Unofficial. 



