Hints on the use of the carbonate of soda and soda water / T.J. Graham.

  • Graham, Thomas John, 1795?-1876.
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints on the use of the carbonate of soda and soda water / T.J. Graham. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    the alkali is brought to the kidneys in the course of the circulation, it excites the vessels there to an in- creased action, and promotes the secretion of a larger proportion of watery fluid from the blood: It thus assists in lessening dropsical swellings. In common with other saline diuretics, it lowers the pulse, les- sens fever, and undoubtedly whatever does this impairs the energy of the vital powers. Indeed, all saline diuretics are debilitating, and every patient under their operation is sensible of this. The medical uses of the Carbonate of Soda are the same as those of the Carhonate of Potash, which is sometimes used with the same views as the former, namely, to neutralize acidity and relieve indiges- tion; but it is worthy of remark, that the carbonate of potash is the most frequent ingredient in febri- fuge mixtures, and saline draughts, in conjunction with the citric or tartaric acid:—it is in common use in the most acute fevers, because we can depend upon it for aid in lessening the frequency and force of the pulse, and lowering the general excessive ac- tion ; and so certain is this effect that no person in ordmary health can take it for a week without feeling its reducing influence. It is not so pleasant as the carbonate of soda, and is therefore not so often em- ployed on ordinary occasions, but their action is the same precisely, and the one is scarcely less reducino- than the other. Another circumstance which shows the sedative and lowering influence of the Carbonate of Soda is the excellent effects it is said to have produced in