140 INOKGANIC AGENTS 



solutions (osmotic action). This is called " salt action " and 

 is common to all salts of the alkalies. Salt in the food often 

 improves digestion — probably by bettering the taste of the 

 food aijd exciting the appetite and so, reflexly, stimulating 

 the flow of gastric juice. On the same principle that the 

 sight, taste, and smell of food are the chief factors in the 

 first secretion of HCl. Salt acts in the bowels as a mild 

 hydragogue purgative. It is unfit as a cathartic for horses 

 or dogs, but is useful for cattle and sheep when combined 

 with magnesium or sodium sulphate. Salt creates thirst 

 and, therefore, promotes the indigestion of water. A large 

 .supply of water flushes the system and removes deleterious 

 and imperfectly oxidized matters. 



Blood. — The red corpuscles are augmented by salt. 



Metabolism. — Salt solutions in the blood withdraw fluid ■ 

 lymph from the tissues by osmotic action. In this way they 

 appear to stimulate tissue change as there is an increased 

 elimination of nitrogen in the urine. Vascular tension is 

 thus augmented and activity of the malpighian bodies, and 

 therefore diuresis results. This is another example of " salt 

 action " and is common to the other salts of the alkalies. 



Bwmmary. — Emetic, cathartic, digestive. 



Uses External.— A. solution consisting of one ounce each 

 of salt, nitre and sal ammoniac, in one quart of water, may 

 be used on bruises and sprains as a stimulant and refrig- 

 erant lotion. Severe haemorrhage, collapse and surgical 

 shock are treated most successfully by injections 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 one heaping teaspoonful of 

 salt to a quart of boiled water at a temperature of 100° to 

 105° F. From 2 to 4 quarts may be given to horses, and> 

 from y^ to 1 pint to dogs. (See p. 732.) Salt is an efiicient 

 antidote externally and internally to silver nitrate. 



Uses Internal.— Salt is a serviceable emetic for dogs, 

 when zinc sulphate is not at hand, in emergencies and pois- 

 oning. One teaspoonful may be stirred into a cup of luke- 

 warm water with a tablespoonful of mustard. It is a useful 



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