ON PHOSPHATE OF LIME. 639 
escaped observation, has likewise been demonstrated by the same 
chemist. 
This solubility of the phosphate of lime in water charged with 
chloride of sodium tends to explain the presence of phosphate of 
lime in the alkaline and saline liquids of the body, such as the 
bloody the chyle, the saliva, the pancreatic juice, the bile, & c. 
It is, therefore, reasonable to admit, that salt added to the food 
ought, independently of the stimulant action it exerts on the digest¬ 
ive organs, to operate in promoting the solution of certain organic 
and mineral principles, and in this manner to favour their assimi¬ 
lation. 
This new property recognised in the solution of marine salt, of 
dissolving small quantities of sub-phosphate of lime and carbonate 
of lime (mineral constituents of the bones of animals), adds to 
what has been taught us by Dr. Davy as the solubility of certain 
insoluble azotic elements which a solution of salt transforms into 
soluble albumen. 
The recent facts brought to the attention of surgeons and che¬ 
mists will doubtless serve to elucidate many points still obscure in 
animal and vegetable physiology; and may not we be permitted 
to attribute to the solvent virtue of a solution of marine or calca¬ 
reous salts part of the good effects arising from spreading salt upon 
certain lands? 
And the fattening animal pastures which contain more or less 
chloruret of sodium and other alkaline chlorurets, do they not owe 
part of their fertilizing property to this mixture of saline and earthy 
phosphates always met with in such situations? 
And in relation to nutrition, may we not explain the use of salt 
as a condiment, in man, as well as its addition to the food of ani¬ 
mals, not onlv to the fact that salt constitutes an element of our 
fluids and solids, and is necessary in certain proportion for their 
normal preservation, but also, by the discovery of Lassaigne, that 
it works the solution of the phosphate and carbonate of lime, and 
determines the transport of them into the different parts of the 
animal economy ? 
Journal de Chimie Medicale. 
Home Extracts. 
Cruelty to Animals’ Prevention Bill. 
I. The preamble recites, that from and after the passing of this 
Act, the said recited acts (above declared), excepting so far as 
they repeal any other acts, be, and the same are hereby repealed, 
