54 University Geological Survey of Kansas. 
may cause constipation. They are used in chronic diarrhea. 
They are also used with advantage in cases of uric-acid gravel 
and calculi. Calcium chlorid is said to have a diobstenent ef- 
fect, and to promote the secretion of urine, perspiration, and 
mucus. The use of water containing it is recommended in 
‘‘scrofulous diseases, and in chronic eczema and impetigo, con- 
nected with a lymphatic temperament.’’ 7 
Calcium sulfate is one of the chief constituents in water. that 
make it permanently ‘‘hard.’’ Itisnot considered of any special 
advantage in waters, though perhaps such waters might be 
used where there is not sufficient lime in the bones. 
“<The importance of the calcium ion arises from the fact that 
it is a universal constituent of protoplasm, only a few of the : 
lower fungi being able to dispense with it. It appears to be 
mainly fixed in the nuclei, while in the extra-nuclear portion 
its place seems to be taken by magnesium. It appears to be 
essential not only to the living protoplasm, but also to inor- 
ganized ferments. Calcium, as well as potassium, seems to be 
essential to living protoplasm. . . . The gradual with- 
drawal of calcium from the body, by withholding it from the 
food, leads, in animals, to effects which closely simulate those of 
rickets and osteomalaria. There is, however, some difference. 
In calcium starvation but little bone is formed, yet this con- 
tains the normal amount of calcium. In rickets the amount of 
bone is even excessive, but it is very poor in calcium. In man 
these conditions are characterized by a diminished amount of 
calcium in the bones. The thought lay near at hand to em- 
ploy calcium, particularly calcium sulphate, in the treatment 
of these diseases, but the results have been somewhat disap- 
pointing, as might be deduced from theoretical considerations. 
The condition is somewhat similar to that existing in chlorosis, 
for, except in the experimental disease, the cause of the disorder 
is never to be found in the inefficient supply of calcium salts, 
since the amount of these in the organism is always more than 
enough to supply the organism. The real cause must be 
sought in the abnormal absorption or utilization of these ions. 
24, Text-book of Pharmacology, Sollman, page 569. 
