SULPHATE OF SODA.

817

of stopping or relieving morbid action by an impression produced on theliving tissues. It frequently puts a stop to the further progress of gan-grene ; promotes the separation of the dead from the living parts ;improves the quality of the secretions; and, at the same time, diminishestheir quantity, when this is excessive. We apply it to ulcers of all kinds(whether common, phagedenic, cancerous, syphilitic, or scrofulous)when attended with foul discharges or a disposition to slough. Weemploy it with the greatest benefit in affections of the mucous surfaces.Thus it is used as a gargle to check ptyalism and ulceration of themouth, whether arising from mercury or other causes. In scarlatinamaligna we apply it to check ulceration and sloughing of the throat. Incoryza and ozsena it has been injected into the nostrils with considerablebenefit. In fetid and excessive discharges from the vagina, and neck ofthe uterus or bladder, it is employed as an injection with, at least, tem-porary relief. It has also been applied in some skin diseases, as tineacapitis, eczema, scabies, prurigo pudendi muliebris, &c. The above areonly a few of the cases in which chloride of soda has been used withmost marked benefit. In conclusion, I may justly add, that there arefew, if any, remedies the uses of which, as local agents, are so valuableand extensive, as the chlorides of soda and lime.

Administration. —The liquor soda chlorinates, Pli. L. may be admi-nistered internally in doses of twenty drops or more, diluted with three orfour ounces of some mild aqueous liquid. When used as a gargle, itshould be diluted with eight or ten parts of water: as an injection intothe vagina, it is to be mixed with from fifteen to thirty parts of water:as a wash, its strength must vary according to circumstances. In somesloughing ulcers I have used it mixed with its own volume of water,but in most cases it should, at the commencement of its use, be largelydiluted.

Antidote. —(See Calcis Hypochloris.)

So'dee Sul'phas. — Sul'phate of So'da.

History. —Sulphate of soda (also called natron vitriolatum, Glauber ssalt, sal catharticus Glauberi, or sal mirabile Glauberi) was discovered in1658 by Glauber.

Natural History . —It occurs in both kingdoms of nature. As anefflorescence, the hydrous sulphate of soda is met with in various partsof the world. In the anhydrous state, mixed with a minute portion ofcarbonate of soda, it constitutes the mineral called Thenardite. Sul-phate of soda is a constituent of many mineral waters ; as those ofCheltenham , Leamington, and Spital. It is found in the ashes of someplants which grow by the sea-shore ; as the Tamarix gallica. Lastly, itis found in some of the animal fluids; as the blood and urine.

Preparation. —It is a product of several chemical processes. In thePharmacopoeia it is directed to be prepared from the salt which remainsafter the distillation of hydrochloric acid. This salt consists of sulphatewith some bisulphate of soda. It is to be dissolved in water, and to thesolution carbonate of soda is to be added, to saturate the excess of acidin the bisulphate. The liquid is then to be boiled down, strained, andcrystallized.