Chemical Properties. — Formula, Na,S04, ioH20. It oc- curs rather abundantly in nature : sea water, saline springs, Russian salt lakes, etc. It is prepared by the action of sul- phuric acid on common salt and purified by recrystallization. It forms large, colorless, transparent, oblique, rhombic or six- sided prisms, having a cooling, bitter, saline taste. They effloresce in warm air at 30 ° C. They melt in their own water of crystallization, melting also freely at 330 C; above or below that temperature the solubility decreases. Preparation. — The pure sulphate of sodium is triturated as directed under Class VII, American Homoeopathic Pharmaco- poeia. NATRUM SUI^PHURICUM. 121 Physiologico-chemical Data. — The sulphuric acid formed by the oxidation of the albuminoids would destroy the tissues were it united in its nascent state with carbonates, by which the carbonic acid is set free. This salt does not appear in the cells, only in the intercellular fluids. It aids and regulates the excretion of superfluous water — e.g., that which arises from the decomposition of lactic acid with the phosphate of sodium, cedemas, etc. Disturbance of the molecular motion of this salt prevents the elimination of such water from the tissues as is produced by oxidation of organic substances. The action of Natrum sulph. is opposite to that of Natrum mur. Both have the property to attract water, but for oppo- site purposes. Natrum mur. attracts the water which is to be used in the organism, while Natrum sulph. attracts the water due to retrograde metamorphosis and secures its elimination from the organism. Natrum ?nur. furthers the division of cells for purposes of increase. Natrum sulph. takes away water from worn-out leucocytes, and thereby accomplishes their disintegration. It is, therefore, the remedy for leucaemia. It irritates epithelial cells and nerves, as will be seen in the following facts : In consequence of the induced activity by the Natrum sulph. of the epithelial cells lining the uriniferous tubes, superfluous water, holding in solution or suspension products of metamor- phosis is sent to the kidneys. This leaves the organism by way of the ureter and bladder as urine. Natrtim sulph., by stimulating the epithelial cells of the bile ducts, pancreas and intestinal canal, furthers the normal secre- tion of these organs. It also has the function to stimulate the nerves of these parts. If the sensory nerves of the bladder are not stimulated by Natrum sulph. the impulse to urinate is not reported to con- sciousness and involuntary urination — enuresis — results. If the motor nerves of the detrusor are not irritated, suppression of urine results. In consequence of an irregular action of Natrum sulph. on 122 THE TWELVE TISSUE REMEDIES. the nerves supplying the gall apparatus, we may have an in- crease or diminution of that secretion. If a diabetes mellitus is caused by a lessened secretion of pancreatic fluid, Natrum sulph. may be the remedy required. If the motor nerves of the colon are not influenced suffi- ciently by Natrum sulph. constipation and flatulent colic re- sult. If in consequence of disturbed molecular motion of Natrum sulph. the elimination of superfluous water from the intercell- ular spaces is rendered tardy, hydrsemia results. The hydrsemia and the functional disturbances within the gall secreting apparatus are the conditions for the develop- ment of the following diseases : Intermittent and bilious fevers, influenza, vomiting of bile, bilious diarrhoea, oedema, oedematous erysipelas, vesicular eruptions, filled with yellow serum ; moist eczema, herpes, sycotic growths, catarrhs, with yellowish-green or green secre- tions. Persons suffering from hydrsemia are worse in damp weather, near water, in close, damp dwellings, cellars, etc., and are better under opposite conditions. General Action. — Like other alkaline sulphates, an active cathartic. In addition, however, it exhibits a marked simi- larity to the uric acid diathesis in general, and is certainly a valuable remedy in combating numerous phases of that poly- morphous malady. (T. F. Allen.) Gastric bilious conditions, accumulation of water in the areolar tissues, yellow, watery secretions on the skin, or yellowish scales forming an eruption of vesicles. Excessive secretion of bile, liver affections, gravel, sand in the urine, diabetes, gout, figwarts, etc. The chief characteristic is a dirty greenish-gray or greenish-brown coating on the root of the tongue and aggravation from lying on the left side. Natr. sulph. combines in a measure the wonderful effects of Natr. mur. and of Sulphur in the Western climate as an active malarial agent. Its complaints are those that are brought on by living in damp houses, basements and cellars. Complaints are worse in wet weather, correspond to the hy- NATRUM SULPHURICUM. 1 23 drogenoid constitution and sycotic dyscrasia, constitutional conditions in children that result in chest catarrhs and asth- matic complaints. (Kent.) The morbid alterations caused by Natr. sulpk. begin to be observable near the end of the ileum and in the lower part of the colon. In the latter the follicles appear swollen, with a bright red margin of capillaries ; the mucous membrane between is either pale or shows inconsider- able dentritic injections. In the lower part of the ileum the mucous membrane shows a saturated, bright red coloring, mostly equal. It is the chief ingredient in the Carlsbad water, so largely used for its action on the liver ; also con- tained in the cold springs of the Isle of Wight, of Piillna, Marienbad and Franzensbad. Sulphate of Sodium as a Hemostatic. — Reverdin, in a paper read before the French Surgical Association, advocates the employment of the sulphate of sodium as a hemostatic. He has employed it a number of times successfully ; it is used in small doses (10 centigrams — gr. i}4) every hour, in danger- ous capillary hemorrhage either of spontaneous or traumatic origin. As an example, after the removal of a subcutaneous benign tumor there followed a hemorrhage which resisted all treatment for eight weeks. The same was true of other cases of traumatic origin, and also in cases of menorrhagia. This remedy was used by Kussmaul, and is apparently pop- ular in the North of Germany in cases of hemophilia. By experimental and clinical observation the author deter- mined that this drug should be given by the mouth only, as it is ineffectual when used in subcutaneous injections. Guiding Symptoms and Characteristic Indications. Mental Symptoms. — Suicidal tendency, must exercise restraint, attended with wildness and irritability ; irritability due to bil- iousness ; delirium. Music, especially melancholic strains, aggravates symptoms ; worse in morning. Disheartened. Mental troubles arising from a fall or other injuries to the head. Head and Scalp. — Violent pulsating headache, worse on top 124 THH TWELVE TISSUE REMEDIES. of head. Vertigo, dizziness from gastric derangements, ex- cess of bile, with bilious coating on the tongue, or bitter taste in the mouth. Sick headache with bilious diarrhoea, or vom- iting of bile, bitter taste, colicky pain. Headache with giddi- ness. Occipital headache. Ill effects of falls on and injuries to the head, and mental troubles arising: therefrom. Congestion of blood to head. Violent pains at base of brain, as if crushed in a vise or something gnawing there. Delirium. Burning in top of head. Brain feels as if loose. Scalp sensitive ; hair is painful on combing it.