SODIUM BICARBONATE 111 



pyloric spasm. Its constant administration is said to weaken the diges- 

 tive powers and create anemia, general cachexia, and scorbutic symptoms, 

 but there appears to be no sufficient basis for this belief. Sodium bicar- 

 bonate liberates carbonic dioxide in the stomach, which is a sedative and 

 peristaltic stimulant, thus expelling gas and relieving pain in the viscus. 

 The distention of the stomach with COj gas is also a mechanical cause 

 of its increased motility. Soda dissolves mucus and thins the biliary 

 secretion. It is, therefore, useful in catarrh of the gastro-intestinal tract. 



Blood. — The blood is made more alkaline. 



Kidneys. — The urine is alkalized, but the salt is only feebly diuretic 

 ("salt action," p. 115). 



Uses External. — In aqueous solution (1-50) sodium bicarbonate re- 

 lieves itching in urticaria, prurigo and chronic eczema. It dissolves 

 mucus in leucorrhea and is often used in this strength as a vaginal injec- 

 tion. It also allays the pain of slight burns and of acute rheumatism. 

 For this purpose cloths should be soaked in saturated solutions and placed 

 upon the affected parts. Added to water (3i.-0i.) in which instruments 

 are to be boiled, it prevents rusting. 



Uses Internal. — Sodium bicarbonate is one of the most useful rem- 

 edies in gastric or intestinal indigestion associated with abnormal acidity, 

 or flatulence and distress. It does not always remove the cause of indi- 

 gestion, however, and, therefore, should be combined with agents which 

 do: e.g., cathartics, antiseptics, carminatives and stomachics. For this 

 reason sodium bicarbonate is often prescribed to dogs with bismuth sub- 

 carbonate, salol or beta naphtolj to horses with gentian or nux vomica 

 and ginger. 



For horses with indigestion. 



5!-^Sodii bicarbonatls. 



Pulveris gentianae radicis. 



Pulveris zingiberis aa Siv 



M. 



S. Give 3 tablespoonfuls on feed t. i. d. 



Sodium bicarbonate with bismuth may be given thrice daily in indi- 

 gestion and diarrhea of calves, especially when the trouble has arisen 

 from feeding sour milk. 



For calves with diarrhea. 



IJ — Sodii bicarbonatls 3" 



Bismuth! subcarbonatis 3ss 



M. 



S. 2 teaspoonfuls in milk t. i. d. 



Sodium bicarbonate is of value in alkalizing the blood in acute rheu- 

 matism. In threatened coma in diabetes mellitus and in nephritis and in 

 other conditions of acidosis, as after anesthesia, in shock, large doses of 

 the salt given in solution by the mouth or intravenously, neutralize' acid 

 in the tissues and may avert a fatal ending. 



Sodium bicarbonate is of much worth in alkalizing the urine and in 

 preventing the formation of calculi so often occurring -in stall-fed cattle, 

 rams and wethers, and may be placed on the feed or in the drinking 

 water. The salt is supposed to assist the action of calomel, with which 



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