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PHOSPHATES AND PHOSPHITES. : 513

for opening alveolar abscesses, treating exposed pulps, for sen-
sitive dentine, removing tumors, hypertrophy of tonsils (care-
fully applied), chronic and specific ulcers, earache, removal of
polypi, hypertrophic growths, and other obstructions, etc. It is
claimed for phenate of cocaine that it not only relieves pain, but
checks the progress of the disease.

PHOSPHATES AND PHOSPHITES.

The Phosphates are ingredients of most of the animal and
vegetable foods, and a sufficient amount of phosphorus is, under
normal conditions, appropriated by digestive action for the supply
of the system. Every part of the body contains phosphate of
lime ; and rickets, softening of the bones and defective teeth re-
sult when too little is supplied during the formative period. The
blood, saliva, gastric juice, urine, milk and the entire intercellular
fluid contain phosphate of lime in solution. When this agent is
administered by the stomach, diffusion into the blood results as a
consequence of its being to some extent soluble in lactic and
hydrochloric acids ; hence it is very essential to the nutrition of
the body, and small doses are as effective as large ones, as all in
excess of the quantity soluble in the acids of the stomach is not
appropriated, but passes off or forms concretions in the intestines.
Phosphate of sodium is also a constituent of the blood, and by
removing morbid states of the mucous membrane it promotes di-
gestion and improves nutrition and the tone of the nervous sys-
tem. Large doses, on the other hand, when administered in
health, will impair digestion. Phosphorus exists generally as a
phosphate, and has a strong affinity for oxygen, compounds being
rapidly formed in the stomach ; but some of it may enter the
blood uncombined. It is a powerful irritant poison, the dose be-
ing no larger than ^i^ to ^\ of a grain.
The preparations of the Phosphates and Phosphites are
Syrupus Calcii Lacto-phosphatis.—Syrup of the lacto-phosphate
of lime. Dose.— foj to f^j. (See Syrup of lacto-phosphate of
lime.)
Compound Syrup of the Phosphates.—Each drachm contains
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