Epitome of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary / With Comments

by Albion Walter Hewlett; William August Puckner; Torald Hermann Sollmann; Martin I. Wilbert

Colorless, odorless, efflorescent crystals, having a bitter, saline taste. Freely soluble in water (1:1), but insoluble in alcohol.

Action and Uses: Saline cathartic, more disagreeable but less active than magnesium sulphate, over which it has no material advantage.

Dosage: 15 Gm. or 4 drachms (U.S.P.).

Sal Carolinum Factitium (Sal Carol. Fact.), Artificial Carlsbad Salt, N.F.—This is available in two forms, the dry amorphous form and the crystalline form, the latter representing about 80 per cent. of water of crystallization. The dry amorphous form represents potassium sulphate (2%), sodium chloride (18%), sodium bicarbonate (36%) and hydrated sodium sulphate (100%).

Uses: Alkaline cathartic.

Sal Carolinum Factitium Effervescens (Sal Carol. Fact. Eff.), Effervescent Artificial Carlsbad Salt, N.F. (Pulvis Salis Carolini Factitii Effervescens, N.F. III).—Artificial Carlsbad salt (26.6%) in a mixture of sodium bicarbonate (40%), tartaric acid (15.7%) and citric acid, the last three yielding sodium citrate and sodium tartrate.

Action and Uses: Cathartic. Its high sodium citrate and tartrate content should be borne in mind.

Dosage: 6 Gm. or 1-1/2 drachms (N.F.).

*Sodii Sulphis Exsiccatus (Sod. Sulphis Exsic.), Exsiccated Sodium Sulphite, U.S.P.—Na₂SO₃ (not less than 90%).