354. ALKALIES AND ALKALINE EARTHS 



SODII PHOSPHAS — SODIUM PHOSPHATE 



Sodium phosphate occurs as large colorless, monoclinic prisms, 

 odorless, and possessing a cool saline taste. It gradually effloresces 

 in dry air and loses 5 molecules of water of crystallization. (One 

 gram dissolves in 2.7 mils of water; insoluble in alcohol.) 



Doses. Same as for the sulphate. 



Action and Uses. The action is the same as that of the sul- 

 phate but milder. It is indicated in jaundice due to duodenitis and 

 as a laxative for foals and calves. It has been recommended as a 

 source of phosphorus in rickets, but the calcium salt is to be pre- 

 ferred. 



Sodium borate and perborate are discussed under antiseptics. 



LITHIUM 



Lithium has a potassium-like action upon the heart and voluntary 

 muscles, but to a lesser degree. Large doses cause nausea, vomiting, 

 diarrhea and gastroenteritis, followed by emaciation and death. 

 This results whether the drug is administered per os or hypoder- 

 mically; in the latter case through its elimination by the intestines. 

 It is excreted principally by the kidneys, but to a smaller extent by 

 the saliva, stomach and bowels. It increases the amount of urine 

 by its salt action and does not irritate the kidneys. Like the other 

 fixed alkalies, lithium salts render the urine alkaline. Materia 

 Medica of lithium salts is given under diuretics, p. 298. 



CALCIUM 



Calcium salts are present in the bone and hard parts of the body 

 and also in the blood and soft tissues. It is a necessary constituent 

 of all protoplasm and is necessary for the action of certain ferments. 



Action. Bones. When calcium salts are withheld from the 

 food of growing animals, symptoms resembling rachitis and osteomal- 

 acia are seen, but differ in calciiim starvation from those of the 

 •previously mentioned diseases, because although little bone is formed 

 it contains the normal proportion of calcium. This has led to the 

 use of calcium in the treatment of these diseases, but it appears that 

 in these conditions there is an inability to use what calcium is in 

 the food and many cases do not respond to the administration of 

 calcium. Most of the calcium is taken into the body in drinking 

 water and vegetables. Animal matter, with the exception of bones, 

 contains but little calcium. 



Specific Action. Calcium has a specific action on all forms of 

 muscle similar but weaker than barium. It increases the contrac- 



