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ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

different organs. We must not overlook the important fact that thesolution of chloride of soda used in medicine contains bicarbonate ofsoda, to which perhaps in many cases its beneficial effects are, in part atleast, to be referred.

Uses. —The solution of chloride of soda is employed as a disinfectant,antiseptic, and antidote (in cases of poisoning by the hydrosulphurets,and hydrosulphuric and hydrocyanic acids.) But for most of thesepurposes the chloride of lime is employed instead of chloride of soda,since its properties are analogous, and being manufactured on a veryextensive scale for the use of bleachers, it can be obtained more conve-niently and cheaply. On this account, therefore, and to avoid repeti-tion, I must refer to the article Hypochlorite of Lime for informationrespecting the above uses of chloride (hypochlorite) of soda. 1 wouldremark, however, that in several cases where I have carefully tried andcompared the two chlorides (hypochlorites) I give the decided preferenceto the chloride of soda. As an antiseptic, Labarraque also preferred thelatter preparation, on the ground that by the process of disinfection itbecomes chloride of sodium, which is not a deliquescent salt; whereasthe chloride of calcium generated by chloride (hypochlorite) of lime,attracts water from the atmosphere, and thereby furnishes one of theconditions (viz. moisture) necessary to the putrefactive process. Hence,in his opinion, while chloride of lime will serve equally well for meredisinfection, chloride of soda is preferable where we wish at the sametime to prevent a renewal of putrefaction.

Chloride of soda is employed internally in all diseases commonlytermed putrid or malignant, as typhus fever, scarlatina maligna, &c. Itis indicated where there are great prostration of strength, fetid evacua-tions, and a dry and furred tongue. In such cases I have seen it ofessential sendee, improving the quality of the secretions, producing amoist state of the skin, preventing collapse, and altogether acting mostbeneficially. It may be administered both by the mouth and therectum.

There are many other diseases in which the solution of chloride ofsoda has been administered internally with apparent success; but inwhich a more extended experience of its effects is required to enable usto place confidence in the results. I refer nowto the employment of thissubstance as a substitute for the disulphate of quinia, in intermittents,recommended by Lalesque and Gouz6e [Brit, and For. Med. Rev. April,1838) ; to its use in the treatment of secondary syphilis, as practised byDr. Scott [Lond. Med. Rep. N. S. vol. ii. 1826, p. 139), and by Cazenove,[Journ. de Chim. Med. t, iv. p. 140): to its administration in chronicskin diseases, and as a substitute for chlorine in bilious disorders by Dr.Darling [Lond. Med. Rep. N. S. vol. ii.); in scrofula, by Godier [Journ.Gen. de Med. 1829); and in plague, by Neljoubin (Richter, ausf. Arz-neim. Suppl.-Bd. p. 539.) In some of these cases (as in syphilis andscrofula) the benefit obtained may have resulted from the bicarbonate ofsoda present in the chloride of the shops.

As a local remedy, we employ chloride of soda in all cases attendedwith fetid discharges, not merely as a disinfectant and antiseptic—thatis, as a chemical agent destroying fetor, and preventing the putrefactionof dead matters (as gangrenous parts, the discharges from wounds andulcers, &c.) though in these respects it is most valuable—but as a means