SODIUK BICARBONATE 135 



carbonate, phosphate, and sulphate diminish the solids in 

 the bile and, therefore, increase its fluidity 



Sodium Bicaebonate. 



Action External. — Sodium bicarbonate lessens irrita- 

 bility of the skin in itching and burns. 



Action Internal. — When sodium bicarbonate is given 

 internally it neutralizes gastric acidity, whether it be normal, 

 abnormal from indigestion and fermentation, or excessive 

 (hyperchlorhydia.) It does not in any event stimulate an 

 increase of normal acid gastric juice, as has hitherto been 

 taught. Its constant administration v?eakens the digestive 

 powers and creates anemia, general cachexia, and scorbutic 

 symptoms. Sodium bicarbonate liberates carbonic dioxide 

 in the stomach, whch is a sedative and peristaltic stimulant, 

 thus expelling gas and relieving pain in the viscus. It dis- 

 solves mucus and thins the biliary secretion. It is, there- 

 fore, 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. 140). 



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

 carbonate relieves itching in urticaria, prurigo and chronic 

 eczema. 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 (3 i.-Oi.) in which instruments are to be 

 boiled, it prevents rusting. 



Uses Internal. — Sodium bicarbonate is one of the most 

 useful remedies in gastric or intestinal indigestion associated 

 with abnormal acidity, or flatulence and distress. It does not 

 always remove the cause of indigestion, however, and, there- 

 fore, should be combined with agents which do : e.g., cathar- 

 tics, antiseptics, carminatives and stomachics. For this 

 reason sodium bicarbonate is often prescribed to dogs with 

 bismuth, subcarbonate, salol or beta naphtol; to horses 

 Avith gentian or nux vomica and ginger. 



Sodium bicarbonate is of value in alkalizing the blood 

 in acute rheumatism, and in threatened coma in diabetes 

 mellitus ; large doses of the salt given in solution by the 

 mouth or intravenously, neutralize diacetic acid in the blood 

 and may avert a fatal ending. 



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