Prep. Carbonate of soda, twelve ounces; distilled water, forty-five fluid ounces; chloride of sodium, four ounces; binoxide of manganese, three ounces; sulphuric acid, two fluid ounces and a half. Dissolve the carbonate in thirty-six ounces of the water; then put the chloride and binoxide, rubbed to powder, into a retort, and add to them the sulphuric acid, previously mixed with three fluid ounces of water, and cooled. Heat the mixture, and pass the chlorine first through five fluid ounces of water, and afterwards into the solution of carbonate made as above directed. [Chlorinated lime, twelve troy ounces; carbonate of soda, twenty-four troy ounces; water, twelve pints. Rub the chlorinated lime gradually with small portions of water, until a smooth, uniform mixture is obtained. Mix this intimately with water until nine pints have been used. Decant the clear liquor and pass the residue through a muslin strainer, until in all eight pints have been obtained. Mix this thoroughly with the carbonate of soda, dissolved in three pints of water. Transfer the mixture to a muslin strainer and allow it to drain, adding water, if necessary, until eleven pints and a half have passed. Keep in well stopped bottles, protected from the light. U. S.]

Prop. & Comp. A colourless or pale yellow liquid, having the odour of chlorine, a pungent taste, and alkaline reaction, with the power of bleaching vegetable colours, turmeric paper being first made brown, and the colour afterwards speedily destroyed; indigo is also decolorized by it; when lime-water is added, a precipitate of carbonate of lime is thrown down; it effervesces with hydrochloric acid, evolving chlorine and carbonic acid, and forming a solution which does not precipitate with bichloride of platinum. It contains in solution a peculiar compound of soda and chlorine, by many thought to be bichloride of soda (Na O, Cl 0), together with bicarbonate of soda and chloride of sodium; when exposed to the air, from the absorption of the carbonic acid, and more especially when an acid is added to it, free chlorine is evolved. It is not precipitated by oxalate of ammonia. Sp. gr. T03. [1.045. U. S.] One fluid drachm, added to a solution of 20 grains of iodide of potassium in 4 fluid ounces of water, and acidulated with 2 fluid drachms of hydrochloric acid, requires for the discharge of the brown colour which the mixture assumes (from the liberation of iodine) 43 measures of the volumetric solution of hyposulphite of soda, equivalent to 1.52 grains of chlorine.

Off. Prep. Cataplasma Sodae Chlorate. Poultice of Chlorinated Soda. (Boiling water, eight fluid ounces; powdered linseed, four ounces; solution of chlorinated soda, two fluid ounces. Stir constantly, add the linseed to the water by degrees, then mix in the chlorinated soda.)

Therapeutics. Internally it acts as an antiseptic and stimulant, and has been given with success in low malignant fevers, as scarlatina, etc. Externally, in the form of cataplasm or solution, it is applied to correct the foetor of unhealthy or gangrenous parts, and also to stimulate to more healthy action. As a gargle it is useful in ulcerated sore throats, and in ulcerated mouths from the use of mercury.

Dose. 10 min. to 20 min., or more, diluted with 1 fl. oz. of water; or as a gargle, 1/2 fl. oz. to 1 fl. oz. in the 1/2 pint of water.

The test of its goodness is the free evolution of chlorine when an acid is added to it.

Sodii Chloridum. Chloride of Sodium; Common Salt.

Found in Cheshire as rock-salt, and in brine springs; also in sea-water, etc.

Prop. & Comp. Transparent cubes, soluble in water and spirit, but not in absolute alcohol, imparting a yellow colour to flame. The solution is not precipitated by bichloride of platinum, but gives a white precipitate with nitrate of silver, soluble in ammonia, but insoluble in nitric acid. Composition (Na Cl). It should be free from moisture; the solution is not rendered hazy by chloride of barium, nor by phosphate of soda after the addition of a mixed solution of ammonia and hydrochlorate of ammonia, showing the absence of sulphates, and of magnesia.

Therapeutics. A necessary article of food, contained in blood and other animal fluids. A deficiency of it causes disease, the production of worms, etc. In large doses it is emetic and purgative; in milder ones, it acts as a slight stimulant and alterative. Externally applied, it is also stimulant and rubefacient. Sometimes used in the form of sea-water as an emetic, purgative, and anthelmintic; also as an adjunct to clysters: its internal employment, however, is chiefly as a condiment. Sponging and bathing in salt-water, aided or not with friction, are valuable in many affections, as chronic rheumatism, joint affections, etc.

Dose. A tablespoonful or more as an emetic.