146 
ALKALINE PRINKS AS L1TH0NTRIPTICS. 
stomach is no longer able with the same ease to bear water 
holding in solution bicarbonate of potassa or soda, these 
salts may even be replaced by citrate of soda, which, during 
the assimilation, is converted into bicarbonate of soda, and 
which, finally, has the same influence as the latter salt on 
the composition of the urine. 
The following drink may be prescribed: — 
Bicarbonate of potassa 1 gramme. 
Water 1 quart. . 
White sugar, 50 grammes. 
Tincture of vanilla, 5 grammes. 
Mix and dissolve. 
According to the taste of the patients, the tincture of va- 
nilla may be substituted by tincture of cinnamon, tincture 
of orange, tincture of citron, &c, in the dose of one gramme, 
and the bicarbonate of potassa by bicarbonate of soda, or by 
a double dose of the citrate or malate of the latter base. 
The essential point is to give the patient a drink which will 
please him without fatiguing his stomach, and without 
causing disgust — and this is really a very difficult matter in 
some circumstances. The beneficial action of certain mi- 
neral waters in cases of gravel, may certainly be attributed 
to these waters being easily borne by the stomach, easily 
digested, and that a very large dose of them may be taken 
daily. This is the secret of the efficacy of the waters of 
Contrexeville. Indeed, the small proportion of iron which 
these springs contain, and the carbonic acid which they 
disengage, excite the stomach, and large quantities of the 
water may be daily swallowed with impunity, without fear 
of disorder in the exercise of the digestive functions. 
As regards what is meant by large quantities of water, it 
is a point which may be very variable according to the in- 
dividuals; but the following is a rule which M. Bouchardat 
indicates as a very easy guide in this respect: the urine of 
a healthy man becomes turbid, and deposits by cooling, 
