374 
E. MINK. 
that the bloated condition is caused principally by carbonic acid 
gas. The carbonated alkalies are already saturated with carbonic 
acid; hence they cannot combine with any more in the stomach. 
On the other hand, if they come in contact with a free acid, 
the carbonic acid of the alkali is liberated (in the form of gas, of 
course), and thus the gaseous distension is increased. The same 
objection cannot be made to the uncombined alkalies, such as 
aqua ammonia, spirits and aromatic spirits of ammonia. We are 
aware, of course, that the aromatic spirits of ammonia may be so 
prepared as to contain carbonic acid, or, in other words, is a mere 
carbonate of ammonia in solution. When so prepared we do not 
consider it as good a preparation for flatulency as the preparation 
made according to the “ Ed. Phar.,” which is a mere solution of 
certain volatile oils in the caustic simple spirit of the Edinburgh 
College. 
Should the history of a case make it probable that the 
nitrogenized constituents of food are in excess, then a somewhat 
different course of treatment is indicated. 
Here the probability is that the eliminated gases are of the 
nature of sulphuretted or carburetted hydrogen. In cases of 
this kind antiseptics are proper to arrest putrefaction as they are 
in the other to arrest fermentation. The sulphites of soda are 
probably the best antiseptics. 
In our own practice we have for some time given preference 
to the following combination in cases where we suspect gases of 
the nature of sulphuretted hydrogen: Aloes, three to five 
drachms ; fluid extract of mix vomica, thirty minims ; potassium 
chlorate, two to three drachms, made into a ball. The aloes 
and mix vomica are given for the purposes before mentioned, and 
the pot. chlorate for its supposed power of neutralizing arid 
condensing the gases. The aloes and nux vomica I am reluctant 
to omit in any form of flatulent colic, as we frequently have more 
or less obstruction to the free passage of gases through the 
alimentary canal in the form of accumulated feces in the 
colon, which in many instances aggravates the pain and spasm 
and retards recovery—a condition which the aloes and nux vomica 
materially assist in overcoming, thus gaining free passage for flatu 
