116 INORGANIC AGENTS 



of hot normal salt solution into a vein, under the skin, or into the rectum. 

 The solution maintains the proper salinity of the blood, replaces the mass 

 of blood lost, and supplies heat. The solution is made by adding salt to 

 boiled or distilled water at a temperature of 100° to 105° F. (See p. 

 517.) A number of human deaths — preceded by vomiting, diarrhea, fever, 

 delirium and coma, have occurred through the accidental intravenous in- 

 jection of concentrated salt solutions. Salt is an efficient antidote exter- 

 nally and internally to silver nitrate. 



Uses Internal. — Salt is a serviceable emetic for dogs, when zinc sul- 

 phate is not at hand, in emergencies and poisoning. One teaspoonful 

 may be stirred into a cup of lukewarm water with a tablespoonful of 

 mustard. It is a useful addition to Epsom salt, since it increases thirst 

 and the ingestion of water, and assists purgation in overloaded conditions 

 of the first and third stomachs of ruminants. One-half pound of salt is 

 administered to cattle with one-half to one pound of Epsom salt, one- 

 quarter pound of ginger and a pint of molasses in two quarts of water. 

 The habitual ingestion of salt is prejudicial to ascarides and diminishes 

 the secretion of mucus in which they live. It is even more efficacious in 

 destroying pinworms inhabiting the lower bowels. Enemata containing 1 

 to 2 tablespoonfuls of salt to the pint of water are employed for this 

 purpose. Salt should be kept constantly accessible to horses and cattle. 



Animals convalescing from acute diseases, and those with feeble 

 digestion, need salt particularly. Horses are commonly given a bran 

 mash once a week, with plenty of salt to enhance its laxative and hygienic 

 action. Dogs usually procure sufficient salt in their ordinary food, but 

 it should be added to their diet in the treatment of obesity. Salt increases 

 edemas and dropsies and should be excluded from the diet in chronic 

 nephritis, in chronic heart disease with edema, in ascites, in pleuritic 

 effusions and hydrothorax — notwithstanding that formerly it was taught 

 that salt aided the absorption of pleural effusions. The danger of con- 

 centrated salts solution through its effect on the blood has been noted. In 

 China the drinking of a pint or more of saturated salt solution is a com- 

 mon method of committing suicide. Deaths from giving enemata contain- 

 ing concentrated salt solution have been reported. 



SoDii Phosphas. Sodium Phosphate. Na^HPOi 4- 12 H^O. 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym.— Sodium orthophosphate, phosphate of soda, E. ; iiatrum phosphori- 

 cum, P. G.; phosphate de soude, Fr.; natrium phosphat, phosphorsaures natrum, 

 G. 



Derivation.— Digest bone ash with sulphuric acid. Ca, 2PO. -)- 2 H^ SOj = 

 Ca Hi 2 PO4 (acid calcium phosphate) -|- 2 Ca SO.. Filter and add sodium car- 

 bonate to filtrate. 



Ca H4 2 PO4 + Na, CO3 — Na,H PO, + H,0 -|- CO + Ca HPO.. Evaporate, 

 and sodium phosphate crystallizes out. 



Properties. — Large, colorless, monoclinic prisms, or as a granular, crystalline 

 salt; odorless, and having a cooling, saline taste. The crystals effloresce in the 

 air. Soluble in 2.7 parts of water; insoluble in alcohol; slightly alkaline reaction. 



Dose. — Same as sodium sulphate; D., 3i-ii, (4-8) as laxative. 



The phosphate resembles the sulphate, but is a milder purgative and 

 is wrongly thought to be an hepatic stimulant. It is indicated in jaundice 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



