Natrum Phosphoricum

Synonyms. — Sodium Phosphate. Natri Phosphas. Phos- phas Natricus. Sodse Phosphas. Sodii Phosphas.

Common Name — Phosphate of Soda.

Chemical Properties. — Formula, Na2HP04, i2H20. Sp. gravity, 1.55. It is prepared by neutralizing orthophosphoric acid with carbonate of sodium, and is also made from bone- ash. It crystallizes in large, transparent, monoclinic prisms containing twelve molecules of water of crystallization. It has a mild, cooling, saline taste. It is soluble in two parts of hot and in six of cold water. It is insoluble in alcohol. So- lutions are slightly alkaline.

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Preparation. — The pure phosphate of soda is triturated as directed under Class VII, American Homoeopathic Pharmaco- poeia. (Should be kept well corked.)

Physiologico-chemical Data This salt is found in the blood, muscles, nerve and brain-cells, as well as in the inter- cellular fluids. Through the presence of this salt, lactic acid is decomposed into carbonic acid and water. It absorbs the carbonic acid, taking up two molecules for every molecule of itself, and carries it to the lungs, where the oxygen of the air sets the carbonic acid free in exchange for oxygen, which latter is taken up by the iron contained in the blood corpus- cles.

Natrum phos. is the remedy for conditions arising from excess of lactic acid. It prevents inspissation of the bile and mucus with crystallization of cholesterin in the gall duct and will thus remove the cause of many cases of jaundice, hepatic colic, bilious headache and imperfect assimilation of fats from lack of bile. It is useful in podagra, gout, as well as in acute and chronic articular rheumatism, being thus a remedy for the so-called acid diathesis.

The role of this salt in the normal economy, according to Moleschott and Schiissler, largely consists in the catalysis of lactic acid in the blood, thus purifying that fluid organ from this effete product of muscular function, which transforms stored glycogen into the acid. The liver is the prime and master laboratory of the animal body. It is essential to both the nitrogenous and the hydro-carbonaceous transformations, to the renewal and the depuration of the blood, to the pro- duction of glycogen and grape sugar from starchy and saccha- rine food, and to the higher oxidation of uric acid, and other effete tissue principles, into urea, ready for elimination by the kidney, and by bile-formation contributes to the intestinal work.

When inert, this organ falls short of this extensive function ; when overactive, it exceeds it, and overproductions appear with symptomatic effects. These functions are prin- cipally due to cell-action. There are two classes of functional or parenchymatous cells ; the biliary, spread out as epithelium in the capillary branches of the ducts, in intimate relation

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with the vessels of the liver and likewise with the remaining set of functional cells — viz : those of the hepatic acini, also lying in intimate relation to the blood vessels and to the biliary capillaries, with their glandular epithelium. This double duty belongs to the large cells of the acini — viz : the formation of glycogen and the formation of uric acid. In addition, the old red blood-globules are here in the liver, but in the portal system of veins, now become capillary in the acini, are finally disintegrated, and the new-formed globules perfected.

All of these varied functions, separate as they are, undoubtedly assist each other, furnishing necessary chemical exchanges, etc. The glycogen is believed to be mainly carried away in the blood-current, to be stored in the muscular tissues, furnishing motor energy thereto, and being chemically split into two parts of lactic acid. This acid aids in later vital functions of the body, and is at last transformed into carbonic acid and water, while circulating in the blood. This transformation takes place through the presence in the blood of phosphate of soda — Natr. phos. — and by a catalytic action of this salt.

Any deficiency in this prevents this chemical change, and the lactic acid remains as such. An acid state of the system now prevails ; rheumatism, dyspepsia, intestinal troubles, etc., ensue. According to Schiissler, by the administration of molecular doses of this drug, this catalytic action is at once restored — the acid state ceases, and the rheumatic and other symptoms subside. (J.

C. Morgan, M. D.)

Uric acid is kept soluble in the blood by the presence of the phosphate of soda and the natural temperature of the blood. Whenever there is a deficiency of this salt, uric acid is combined with the soda, forming the urate of soda, an in- soluble salt and deposited near the points producing gout and acute inflammatory rheumatism. During an attack of acute grout, we find that the excretion of uric acid is diminished in proportion to the amount of the deposit of urate of soda around the points.

Natrum phosph. serves to emulsify fatty acids ; it is there-

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fore a remedy for all dyspeptic conditions traceable to fats, or such as are aggravated by their use. Besides combining with these acids the phosphate of soda appropriates molecules of albumen, which acts bio-chemically like an acid.

The white blood corpuscles, leucocytes or lymph corpuscles carry molecules of fat and peptones, which latter are modified albuminoids, from the intestinal walls to the blood and thence to the tissues. They do this by virtue of their active move- ments. From the walls of the intestinal tract the passage of the leucocytes, now laden with peptones, is a direct one, while those carrying the fat molecules reach the goal by an indirect way — namely, through the thoracic duct. Finally they reach the tissues through the walls of the capillaries.

Here, after the peptones are retransformed into albuminoids, they are deposited and become material for the growth of young cells which are formed by division.

If the progress of the leucocytes carrying the fat molecules is stopped in their course through the lymphatic glands, skin, bones or lungs, phlegmonous and glandular inflammations, and swellings take place as well as tubercular conditions of these organs and tissues.

Since these stagnated leucocytes contain albumen and fat, their fatty degeneration is rendered possible. So long as this has not actually taken place, Natrum phosph. possesses the power to free the leucocytes and thereby again enabling them to carry on their specific function. This it does by its two properties — that of emulsifying fats even if but a trace of a fatty acid is present and its capacity to take up peptonic molecules.

General Action. — Diseases of infants suffering from excess of lactic acid, resulting from overfeeding with milk and sugar. Ailments with excess of acidity. Thin, moist coating: on the tongue. The soft palate also has a yellowish, creamy look. Sour eructations, sour vomiting:, greenish diarrhoea, pains, spasms, and fever with acid symptoms, etc. Acts also upon the bones and glands, lungs and abdominal organs. The knowledge of its sphere of action has been much enlarged by Schussler in re-

110 THE TWELVE TISSUE REMEDIES.

cent years. Small doses of Natrum phos. given subcutane- ously have been found to antidote the desire for Morphine and thus break up the habit.

Guiding- Symptoms and Characteristic Indications.

Mental. — Anxious and apprehensive fear as if something would happen. Dull and without ambition. Imagines on waking at night that pieces of furniture are persons ; that he hears footsteps in next room. Nervous, irritable, vexed at trifles.

Head and Scalp. — Headaches on crown of head ; on awaking in the morning, with creamy appearance at the back part of the palate, and yellow, moist tongue. Severe pain in the head as if the skull were too full, frontal or occipital, with nausea or some slimy vomiting. Intense pressure and heat on the top of the head as if it would open. Giddiness, vertigo with gastric derangements. Sickening headaches, ejection of sour froth.

Ears sore, externally, burn and itch. One ear red, hot, frequently itchy, accompanied by gastric derangements and acidity.

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Tongue. — The great keynote for this remedy is the moist, creamy or golden-yellow coating at the back part of the tongue.

Blisters and sensation of hairs on tip of tongue. Difficult speech.

Grinding of the teeth in children during sleep.

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Morning sickness with vomiting of sour masses or fluids.

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Some of the pains of this remedy were aggra- vated during a thunderstorm ; during menstruation many symptoms have an afternoon and evening aggravation.

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As a remedy for scrofulosis with similar " acid " symptoms compare Calc. carb. In gastric catarrhal affections it is to be compared with Calcar., Kali carb., Nux, Coccul., Car bo, Carbol. ac. As a remedial agent for chil- dren, for whom Natr. phos. is pre-eminently the remedy, where these acid conditions of stomach and bowels are fre- quent, compare Rheum, where the whole body, but especially the stool of the little patient, smells sour. It is interesting to note the association of the peculiar Natr. phos. gastric symp- toms, so frequently verified clinically, and the symptoms of gout developed in the provings.

Remembering the peculiar gouty dyspepsia, we may have in Natr. phos. a most useful remedy. Compare here Colchic, Bens, ac, Guaiac, Lycop., Sulphur. In itching all over, compare Dolichos, Urtica, Sul- phur, etc.