Properties : Calcium hypophosphite occurs as colorless, transparent prisms, small lustrous scales or a white crystalline powder, which is odorless and has a nauseous, bitter taste. It is freely soluble in water (1:65) and practically insoluble in alcohol.

Incompatibilities: It is incompatible with iodids and oxidizing agents. Caution should be observed in dispensing calcium hypophosphite as explosion is liable to occur when it is triturated or heated with nitrates, chlorates or oxidizing agents.

Action and Uses: It was formerly thought that hypophosphites were of special value because the phosphorus was in a less highly oxidized form than in the phosphates. There is. no experimental and no convincing clinical evidence for this belief. Calcium hypophosphite has merely the action of other soluble salts of calcium. (See calcium chlorid.)

Dosage: 0.5 gm. or 7½ grains.