112 INORGANIC AGENTS 



it is often conjoined to stimulate the flow of bile and aid the alkaline 

 intestinal juices in transforming the inactive chloride into the active 

 oxide (see p. 168). One may lessen the toxicity of acetanilid by prescrib- 

 ing it in combination with sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate is 

 occasionally given in acute bronchitis, but it is distinctly inferior to the 

 corresponding potassium salt in thinning and increasing bronchial secre- 

 tions. 



This salt is highly recommended in the treatment of hemoglobinemia 

 (azoturia) in horses when given in quantities of 10-30 ounces daily. 

 Theoretically, sodium bicarbonate is of benefit in this disease, by neutral- 

 izing acid products of metabolism which lead to solution of the hemo- 

 globin. Acidosis results from excessive oxidation in the body in over- 

 exertion, fevers, infections, injuries, surgical operations, in poisoning — 

 as by chloroform, foreign proteids (intestinal stasis), etc. The acid by- 

 products are normally eliminated by the lungs (COj) or neutralized by 

 the liver, adrenals and kidneys. When these organs are over-worked — 

 as in the above conditions (also in nephritis and diabetes) — sodium 

 bicarbonate in very large doses may prevent the evil effects of acidosis 

 (coma, edema, nephritis, etc.). Sodium bicarbonate relieves thirst in 

 polyuria of horses, when placed in their drinking water. 



Administration. — Sodium bicarbonate may be given in solution, or on 

 the t6ngue or food in the pure state. 



SoDii Sulphas. Sodium Sulphate. Na^ SO4 IOH2O. 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Glauber's salt, sulphate of soda, E.; sulfat de sonde, sel de Glau- 

 ber, Fr. ; Glaubersalz, natriumsulf at, G. ; natrium sulphuricum, P. G. 



Derivation. — Neutralize the residue left in the manufacture of HCI from 

 salt, with sodium carbonate. 2 Na HSO, + Na^ CO, = 2 Na^SO, + CO, + H2O. 



Properties. — Large, colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, or granular 

 crystals, odorless, and having a bitter, saline taste. The salt effloresces rapidly 

 in the air. Soluble in a little over its own weight of water; insoluble in alcohol; 

 soluble in glycerin. 



Dose.—C, Kiss, (500-750) ; H. (laxative), gii-iv, (60-120) ; Sh., gii-iv, (60-120). 



Action Internal. — Digestive Tract. — The action of the saline cathar- 

 tics depends upon the slow absorption of certain acid ions or anions 

 (sulphates, phosphates, tartrates, and citrates) as compared with others 

 (chlorides, bromides, and iodides). The latter, being readily absorbed 

 into the blood, cause diuresis. The former salts fail of absorption — ^to 

 any considerable extent — in the bowel, and so their solutions increase the 

 fluidity of the ingesta and aid in the expulsion of feces. Peristaltic 

 action is chiefly excited through increase of the mass of intestinal contents. 



Concentrated (hypertonic) solutions of the saline purgatives with- 

 draw water from the blood-vessels of the bowels because the solution in 

 the intestines has a greater osmotic pressure than the blood. When the 

 solution in the bowel becomes sufficiently diluted to be isotonic with the 

 blood some absorption and diuresis occur ("salt action," see p. 115). 



The blood and_ urine first become concentrated, and thirst is induced 

 by the action of the saline purgatives both in withdrawing water from 

 the blood and in preventing absorption of water from the digestive tract. 



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