136 INOEGANIC AGENTS 



The salt assists the action of calomel, with which it 

 should be generally conjoined, since it stimulates the flow 

 of bile and aids the alkaline intestinal juices in transform- 

 ing the inactive chloride into the active oxide. Sodium 

 bcarbonate is occasionally given in acute bronchitis, but it 

 is distinctly inferior to the corresponding potassium salt in 

 thinning and increasing bronchial secretions. 



This salt is highly recommended in the treatment of 

 h8emoglobina?mia (azoturia) in horses, when given in quanti- 

 ties of 10-30 ounces daily. Theoretically, sodium bicarbo- 

 nate is of benefit in this disease, by neutralizing acid pro- 

 ducts of metabolism which lead to solution of the haemo- 

 globin. Sodium bicarbonate relieves thirst in polyuria of 

 horses, when placed in their drinking water, and should be 

 added to the food of cattle and sheep, when they are highly 

 fed (in fattening), to avert calculus. 



Administration. — Sodium bicarbonate may be given in 

 solution or on the tongue or food in the pure state. 



SoDii Sulphas. Sodium Sulphate. jSTag SO4 lOHgO. 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Glauber's salts, sulfas sodieus (natricus), 

 sal mirabile G-lauberi, sulphate of soda, E. ; sulfat de sonde, 

 sel de Glauber, Fr. ; Glaubersalz, G. 



Derivation. — ISFeutralize the residue left in the manu- 

 facture of HCl from 'salt, with sodium carbonate. 2 Na 

 HS04 + Kao €03 = 2 Xa„ SO4 + COj + H^O. 



Properties. — Large, colorless, transparent, monoclinic 

 prisms, or granular crystals, odorless, and having a bitter, 

 saline taste. The salt effloresces rapidly in the air, and 

 finally loses all its water of crystallization. Soluble in 2.8 

 parts of water ; insoluble in alcohol ; soluble in glycerin. 



Dose.— C, fti.-iss. (500.-750.) ; H. (laxative), § ii.-iv. 

 (60.-120) ; Sh., § ii.-iv. (60.-120.). 



Action Internal. — Digestive Tract. — The action of the 

 saline cathartics depends upon the slow absorption of certain 

 acid ions or anions (sulphates, phosphates, tartrktes, 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 in- 



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