In cases of the so-called bilious sick-headache, phosphate of soda is a most useful laxative. A permanent cure of this very troublesome malady may be wrought by regulation of the diet, and by the long-continued use of this remedy. It is not pretended that cases of migraine, due to an affection of the nucleus of the fifth, may be thus cured. A large proportion of these cases are produced by a catarrhal state of the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, which the phosphate of soda has the power to remove. For the same reason, it is a remedy of the highest utility in cases of jaundice dependent on catarrh of the bile-ducts, this disease being secondary to the same process in the intestinal mucous membrane. In these affections the phosphate of soda should be administered in a drachm dose (about one teaspoonful) three times a day, or more frequently. Children, who are frequently subjects of this disorder, do not require larger doses than ten grains to a scruple. In preventing inspissation of the bile and crystallization of cholesterin, and attacks of hepatic colic, the persistent use of the phosphate of soda is rarely unsuccessful. It is not pretended that this agent can relieve the attacks of hepatic colic, and, indeed, it is useless at these times. Many cases of this disease, if not most of them, originate in a catarrh of the duodenum, the transference of the catarrhal state by continuity of tissue to the gall-bladder, and the formation of a nucleus of mucus and bile, about which the cholesterin crystallizes. Phosphate of soda has the property to prevent the occurrence of these changes, and consequently to prevent attacks of hepatic colic. The author has found one scruple to drachm doses, administered for several months before each meal, extremely efficacious in a number of cases of this kind. The value of Vichy in this and kindred affections probably depends on the phosphate of soda contained in this mineral water.

Many ill-conditioned children are found to pass pasty and white stools, showing the absence of bile, and are pale and ill-nourished notwithstanding an abundant supply of milk and a vigorous appetite. Ten grains of phosphate of soda, dissolved in the milk and given them several times each day, will often improve the intestinal digestion, change the appearance of the stools, and increase the nutrition of the body.

The phosphates are especially useful in diseases characterized by mal-nutrition. In rickets, mollities ossium, delayed union of fractures, early decay of the teeth in children, caries and necrosis of bone, in which the phosphate is needed to the repair and growth of the osseous structures, it may be supplied artificially. The phosphate of lime may be administered alone in these states, but is to be preferred in the form of the sirup of the lacto-phosphate, or of Parrish's phosphates. As a large consumption of the phosphate of lime takes place during suckling, the anaemia of the nursing mother may be most advantageously treated with the lacto-phosphate of lime or phosphates. The waste caused by suppuration, carbuncles, mammary abscesses or boils, may be best repaired by the same means. The constitutional cachexia produced by chronic bronchitis with profuse expectoration, leucorrhaea, and similar exhausting discharges, may be much improved by the phosphates, and with the general improvement of the bodily state there usually takes place an arrest of the local morbid process.

The explanation of the therapeutical action of the phosphates in the diseases just mentioned is equally true of their use in phthisis. The utility of the hypophosphites in this disease is not any greater, for it is probably true that these preparations undergo oxidation in the stomach and pass to phosphates. The compound sirup of the hypophosphites is an agreeable preparation and is readily taken, and certainly proves serviceable in the more chronic forms of the disease. The lacto-phos-phate, the phosphates, and the hypophosphites, are undoubtedly useful in chronic phthisis, fibroid lung, chronic tuberculosis, emphysema, and dilated bronchi, but no advantage can be expected from them in acute tuberculosis and caseous pneumonia, and it has been asserted that phosphate of lime—5 grains ter die—has the power to stop the sweats of phthisis. If they improve the appetite, promote digestion, and increase the body-weight, they do good; if they disagree with the stomach, they do harm (Bennett). Not infrequently the sirup of the hypophosphites gives rise to distressing tormina. This may be obviated by combining with it dilute phosphoric acid—a combination very effective, therapeutically: Rx Syrp. hypophos. comp., oz iijss; acid, phosphor, dil., oz ss. M. S.: A teaspoonful three times a day. Such a combination may be advantageously given with cod-liver oil, after meals, in chronic phthisis. The addition of arsenic contributes very materially to the therapeutical effects of the lacto-phosphate; for example: Rx Syrp. calcii lacto-phos., oz iv; liq. potassii arsen., 3 j. M. S.: A dessertspoonful ter die.

Late favorable reports regarding the curative effects of phosphorus and its compounds in pernicious anaemia have not been confirmed by the most recent experience.

Percy, who has made some useful researches on phosphorus, prepares hypophosphorous acid by passing through a solution of phosphorus in oil, perfectly pure and dry oxygen. He maintains that hypophosphorous acid is the only preparation of phosphorus which should be employed in medicine.

Further experience with the phosphate of soda justifies the author in the expression of his belief that it has the power to retard the growth of the changes known as sclerosis of the liver, and possibly, under favorable circumstances, to arrest them and to restore a comparatively normal functional state. "When, in obese subjects, a succession of boils portends the development of diabetes, this remedy is highly useful especially when combined with the arseniate of soda. It has seemed very beneficial in the hepatic form of diabetes. No remedy is more effective in removing that condition of the system which produces furuncles, or boils.