Preparations

Syrupus Calcii Lacto-phosphatis.—Sirup of the lacto-phosphate of calcium. Dose, a teaspoonful. Lactic acid has the property of dissolving freshly-precipitated phosphate of lime.

Compound Sirup of the Phosphates (not official)

Parrish's chemical food. Each drachm contains two and a half grains of phosphate of iron and one grain of phosphate of lime.

Syrupus Hypophosphitum

Sirup of the hypophosphites. Composed of hypophosphites of calcium, sodium, and potassium. Dose, a teaspoonful three times a day.

Syrupus Hypophosphitum cum Ferro

Sirup of the hypophosphites with ferrous lactate. Dose, a teaspoonful three times a day.

Sodii Phosphas

Sodium phosphate. "Large, colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, speedily efflorescing on exposure to air, odorless, having a cooling, saline, and feebly alkaline taste, and a slightly alkaline reaction. Soluble in six parts of water at 60° Fahr., and in two parts of boiling water." Dose, one drachm to one ounce.

Sodii Pyrophosphas

Sodium pyrophosphate. "Colorless, translucent, monoclinic prisms, permanent in the air, odorless, having a cooling, saline taste, and a slightly alkaline reaction. Soluble in 12 parts of water at 60° Fahr., and in 1·1 boiling water; insoluble in alcohol." Dose, half a drachm to half an ounce.

Calcii Hypophosphis

Calcium hypophosphite. "Colorless or white six-sided prisms, or thin, flexible scales, of a pearly luster, permanent in dry air, odorless, having a nauseous, bitter taste and a neutral reaction. Soluble in 6·8 parts of water at 60° Fahr., and in six parts of boiling water." Dose, gr. ij—gr. x.

Calcii Phosphas Praecipitatus

Precipitated calcium phosphate. "A light, white, amorphous powder, permanent in the air, odorless, tasteless, and insoluble in water or alcohol." Dose, gr. ij—gr. v.

Sodii Hypophosphis

Sodium hypophosphite. Small, colorless or white, rectangular prisms, or a white granular powder, having a sweetish, saline taste and a neutral reaction. Soluble in one part of water. Dose, gr. v—gr. x.

Physiological Actions

In the first edition of this work the phosphates were included in the same section with phosphorus. There is a strong argument in favor of this arrangement, based on the chemical reactions which ensue when phosphorus is introduced into the stomach. Phosphorus has a strong affinity for oxygen, and compounds are quickly formed in the stomach. It is probable, however, that some phosphorus enters the blood uncombined. The toxic activity of the compounds of phosphorus is in inverse ratio to the amount of oxygen contained in the combination. This fact, which would be inferred a priori, has been experimentally proved.