SODIUM 109 



manent in the air. Soluble In about 156 parts of water, and In 8820 parts of 

 alcohol. Reaction acid. 



Dose.—H. & C, Sss-i, (16-30); Sh. & Sw., gss, (15); D., 3ss-i, (2-4). 



Action internal. — Intestines. — Potassium bitartrate is a non-irritating 

 purgative in large doses. It is a hydragogue cathartic and has a strong 

 affinity for water; abstracting it from the blood vessels in the bowels, 

 holding the same in solution, and thus flushing out the intestines. 



Blood. — Potassium bitartrate is in part decomposed, converted into 

 the carbonate, and absorbed as such into the blood. The greater part is 

 apparently excreted by the bowels unchanged. A portion of the latter, 

 however, may have been absorbed and eliminated by the intestines. 



Kidneys. — Potassium bitartrate is an active diuretic and renders the 

 urinij^more alkaline, but for some reason it is not ordinarily employed in 

 veterinary practice. Nevertheless, it is the best and safest diuretic which 

 can be used by the veterinarian in the treatment of the horse and smaller 

 animals. 



Summary. — Diuretic in small doses. Hydragogue cathartic in large 

 doses. It should be given in solution and is useful in dropsies, more par- 

 ticularly of renal origin; also in catarrhal jaundice, and as a laxative for 

 foals and calves. In cases where the urine of the horse is thick, stringy 

 and high-colored, potassium bitartrate will cause it to regain its normal 

 state. It may easily be administered in either food or drinking water, 

 and its diuretic effect is enhanced when the salt is given with a large 

 amount of water. 



Sodium. 



(The metal is not employed in medicine.) 

 SoDii Hydroxidum. Sodium Hydroxide. NaOH. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Soda caustica, B. P.; soda, sodium hydrate, caustic soda, natrum 

 causticum, S. hydricum, E.; soude caustique, Fr.; natron, aetznatron, G. 



Derivation. — It is made from liquor sodae by evaporation, and run in moulds. 



Properties. — ^Dry, white, or nearly white, fused masses or sticks, hard and 

 brittle, showing a crystalline fracture; odorless, and having an acrid and caustic 

 taste. Exposed to the air it deliquesces, absorbs carbon dioxide, and becomes 

 covered with a coating of carbonate. Soluble in 0.9 part of water; very soluble 

 in alcohol. 



LiQTTOR SoDii Hydroxidi. Solutlou of Sodium Hydroxide. 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



. An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, containing not less than 4.5 per 

 cent, of NaOH. 



Syjiomym.— Solution of sodium hydrate, E.; natrum hydricum solutum, soude 

 caustique Uquide, Fr.; liquor natri caustici, P. G.; aetznatron lauge, G. 



Derivation. — An aqueous solution of sodium carbonate is boiled with calcium 

 hydrate, and the supernatant liquid is siphoned off. 



NajCO, -f Ca ( OH ) 2 = 2 NaOH -1- CaCOa- 



Properties. — A clear, colorless, or yellowish, syrupy liquid, odorless, having 

 a very acrid and caustic taste, and a strongly alkaline reaction. 



Dose.—H. & C, gss-i. (15.-30.) ; Sh. & Sw., 3ss-i (2.-4.) ; D., Tllvi-xx. (.3-1.3). 



Action and Uses. — Sodium hydroxide and its solution resemble compounds of 

 potassium, but are used chiefly for chemical and pharmaceutical purposes. 



Liquor sodii hydroxidi should be given largely diluted with water. In poi- 

 soning by the caustic alkalies or soap lye, give vinegar, diluted acetic acid, lemon 

 juice and demulcents. Inject subcutaneously camphorated oil (H. 6e C, gss-i; 

 D., ni,xv-xx). 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



