Synonyms

Sodium Sulphate. Soda; Sulphas. Sodii Sulphas.

Common Name

Glauber's Salt. Sulphate of Soda.

Chemical Properties

Formula, Na2SO4 10H2O. It occurs rather abundantly in nature: sea water, saline springs, Russian salt lakes, etc. It is prepared by the action of sulphuric acid on common salt and purified by recrystallization. It forms large, colorless, transparent, oblique, rhombic or six-sided prisms, having a cooling, bitter, saline taste. They effloresce in warm air at 30° C. They melt in their own water of crystallization, melting also freely at 33o C; above or below that temperature the solubility decreases.

Preparation

The pure sulphate of sodium is triturated as directed under Class VII, American Homioeopathic Pharmaco-poeia.

Physiologico-Chemical Data

The sulphuric acid formed by the oxidation of the albuminoids would destroy the tissues were it united in its nascent state with carbonates, by which the carbonic acid is set free. This salt does not appear in the cells, only in the intercellular fluids. It aids and regulates the excretion of superfluous water - e.g. that which arises from the decomposition of lactic acid with the phosphate of sodium, oedemas, etc. Disturbance of the molecular motion of this salt prevents the elimination of such water from the tissues as is produced by oxidation of organic substances.

The action of Natrum suiph. is opposite to that of Natrum WW. Both have the property to attract water, but for opposite purposes. Natrum mur. attracts the water which is to be used in the organism, while Natrum suiph. attracts the water due to retrograde metamorphosis and secures its elimination from the organism.

Natrum mur. furthers the division of cells for purposes of increase. Natrum suiph. takes away water from worn-out leucocytes, and thereby accomplishes their disintegration. It is, therefore, the remedy for leucaemia. It irritates epithelial cells and nerves, as will be seen in the following facts:

In consequence of the induced activity by the Natrum suiph. of the epithelial cells lining the uriniferous tubes, superfluous water, holding in solution or suspension products of metamorphosis is sent to the kidneys. This leaves the organism by way of the ureter and bladder as urine.

Natrum suiph., by stimulating the epithelial cells of the bile ducts, pancreas and intestinal canal, furthers the normal secretion of these organs. It also has the function to stimulate the nerves of these parts.

If the sensory nerves of the bladder are not stimulated by Natrum suiph. the impulse to urinate is not reported to consciousness and involuntary urination - enuresis - results. If the motor nerves of the detrusor are not irritated, suppression of urine results.

In consequence of an irregular action of Natrum suiph. on the nerves supplying the gall apparatus, we may have an increase or diminution of that secretion.

If a diabetes mellitus is caused by a lessened secretion of pancreatic fluid, Natrum sulph. may be the remedy required.

If the motor nerves of the colon are not influenced sufficiently by Natrum sulph. constipation and flatulent colic result.

If in consequence of disturbed molecular motion of Natrum sulph. the elimination of superfluous water from the intercellular spaces is rendered tardy, hydnemia results.

The hydremia and the functional disturbances within the gall secreting apparatus are the conditions for the development of the following diseases:

Intermittent and bilious fevers, influenza, vomiting of bile, bilious diarrhcea, cedema, oedematous erysipelas, vesicular eruptions, filled with yellow serum; moist eczema, herpes, sycotic growths, catarrhs, with yellowish-green or green secretions.

Persons suffering from hydremia are worse in damp weather, near water, in close, damp dwellings, cellars, etc., and are better under opposite conditions.

General Action

Like other alkaline sulphates, an active cathartic. In addition, however, it exhibits a marked similarity to the uric acid diathesis in general, and is certainly a valuable remedy in combating numerous phases of that polymorphous malady. (T. F. Allen.) Gastric bilious conditions, accumulation of water in the areolar tissues, yellow, watery secretions on the skin, or yellowish scales forming an eruption of vesicles. Excessive secretion of bile, liver affections, gravel, sand in the urine, diabetes, gout, figwarts, etc. The chief characteristic is a dirty greenish-gray or greenish-brown coating on the root of the tongue and aggravation from lying on the left side. Natr. sulph. combines in a measure the wonderful effects of Nalr. mur. and of Sulphur in the Western climate as an active malarial agent. Its complaints are those that are brought on by living in damp houses, basements and cellars. Complaints are worse in wet weather, correspond to the hydrogenoid constitution and sycottc dyscrasia, constitutional conditions in children that result in chest catarrhs and asthmatic complaints. (Kent.) The morbid alterations caused by Natr. sulph. begin to be observable near the end of the ileum and in the lower part of the colon.

In the latter the follicles appear swollen, with a bright red margin of capillaries; the mucous membrane between is either pale or shows inconsiderable dentritic injections. In the lower part of the ileum the mucous membrane shows a saturated, bright red coloring, mostly equal. It is the chief ingredient in the Carlsbad water, so largely used for its action on the liver; also contained in the cold springs of the Isle of Wight, of Pulloa, Marienbad and Franzensbad.

Sulphate Of Sodium As A Hemostatic

Reverdin, in a paper read before the French Surgical Association, advocates the employment of the sulphate of sodium as a hemostatic. He has employed it a number of times successfully; it is used in small doses (10 centigrams - gr. 1 1/2) every hour, in dangerous capillary hemorrhage either of spontaneous or traumatic origin. As an example, after the removal of a subcutaneous benign tumor there followed a hemorrhage which resisted all treatment for eight weeks. The same was true of other cases of traumatic origin, and also in cases of menorrhagia.