In concluding this chapter a few words about other salts in common use will be of value to the student. Soda, saleratus, etc., destroy the vitamins in food, destroy the pepsin of the gastric juice and neutralize the hydrochloric acid. They "act" in the same manner as do all other inorganic alkalies when introduced into the body.

The vegetized salts, vegetable salts, celery salt and other such products sold in the Health Food stores at high prices is just common salt with powdered vegetables added. They should be abstained from.

Most baking powders are made of bicarbonate of soda and bitartrate of potash. The baking process results in the formation of rochelle salts from these. Rochelle salts is a laxative drug, for which there can certainly be no need. Prof. A. E. Taylor, of Philadelphia, says: "We must not, however, be oblivious to the fact that a saline cathartic residue results from the reaction of every form of baking powder now commonly employed."

Rochelle salts "act" by irritating the lining membrane of the intestine, producing thereby a demand for fluid to wash away the irritation. The general system gives up some of its fluids which are poured into the intestine. The lack of water thus produced renders the subsequent state of the intestine dryer than ever. The daily use of such laxatives must be a common cause of chronic constipation. Rochelle salts produce nephritis in animals and are probably a prolific source of this trouble in man.