MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 93 



SODII BICARBONAS— Bicarbonate of Soda. 



Synonym. — Baking soda. 



Character. — White opaque powder, milder than the carbonate. 

 Soluble i in 12 of cold water. 



Actions. — Of carbonate and bicarbonate, antacid, alterative 

 and mildly anodyne, (local). They also increase the fluidity of 

 the bile. 



Dose of Bicarbonate. — Horse, 2 drs. to 2 oz. ; dogs, 10 grs. 

 to l / 2 dr. 



Uses. — In indigestion-, J4 hour before meals, to increase gas- 

 tric juice, or as an antacid after meals. Young calves when fed on 

 stale skim milk, suffering from dyspepsia, are benefited by 1 or 2 

 drs. of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in each meal of milk. It 

 is an antidote to poisoning by acids, less irritating than the 

 potassium salts, hence better for dyspepsia. A solution of the 

 carbonate or bicarbonate lessens irritation of itching skin diseases, 

 as urticaria or nettle-rash, yi oz. to 1 pint of water.' Also as 

 injection for leucorrhcea. Never use it in flatulence, as the 

 extra gas due to effervescence is apt to cause rupture of stomach 

 or bowels. The carbonate is used as a remedy against gall-stones, 

 given two hours after meals. It increases the fluidity of the 

 bile. Useful in catarrh of the gastro-intestinal tract. The Bi- 

 carbonate is used as a synergist to calomel, and has come into 

 more or less repute in Azoturia in about § iv doses every four 

 hours. 



SODII BORAS — Sodium Borate — Borax. — Colorless crys- 

 tals or white powder, wholly soluble in boiling water and in 16 

 parts of cold water. 



Actions. — Antiseptic, parasiticide 4 mild astringent and slight- 

 ly alkaline. 



Can be used the same as the bicarbonate, internally and ex- 

 ternally. Externally boracic acid is better as an antiseptic; also 

 - useful as an eye-wash, l / 2 oz. to 1 pint of water. 



SODII NlTRAS — Nitrate of Sods.. — Same as potassium ni- 

 trate, but not as strong and not used much in medicine. 



SODII CHLORIDUM— Sodium Chloride— Chloride of 

 Soda. — Common Salt. Soluble 1 in 2j4 water. 



Action and Uses.- — Salt is an essential article of food ; small 

 doses are restorative, tonic, stomachic, antiseptic, antiferment, 



