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GROUP II

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Originally appearing in Volume V21, Page 350 of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
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GROUP II . Alkalis.—This includes See also:caustic potash, caustic soda, See also:solution of See also:ammonia, their See also:carbonates and bicarbonates, See also:borax, soaps, See also:lithium carbonate and citrate, quicklime, slaked See also:lime, See also:chalk, See also:magnesia and See also:magnesium carbonate. All these substances, apart from any other actions, exert a similar effect upon the See also:body in virtue of their alkalinity. When they are taken internally in small amounts they neutralize the acids in the See also:stomach and other parts of the alimentary See also:canal, and at the same See also:time they increase the normal See also:acid secretion of the stomach. After absorption into the See also:blood, which they make somewhat more alkaline, they are excreted chiefly in the urine, to which they impart an alkaline reaction if given in sufficient quantity. Some of them by stimulating the See also:kidney cells See also:act as diuretics, but others apparently lack this See also:action. Caustic potash and caustic soda are locally very irritating, and destroy the tissues, but lose this quality when combined with acids as in the See also:case of their carbonates, bicarbonates and borax. Quicklime is also caustic, but magnesia is bland and unirritating. Weak solutions applied locally saponify fats, soften the epidermis, and thus act as slight stimulants and cleansers of the skin. See also:Calcium salts See also:form insoluble soaps with fats, and combine with albumen in a manner which makes them soothing and astringent rather than irritating. Apart from alkaline effects, these metals differ considerably pharmacologically. See also:Potassium and lithium have a depressing action upon the See also:nervous See also:system, ammonium salts have a stimulating action, while See also:sodium practically speaking is indifferent.

Calcium and magnesium have actions somewhat similar to that of potassium. Most of these substances are normal constituents of the body, and indispensable for healthy existence. They are contained in sufficient amount in our See also:

ordinary See also:dietary to See also:supply the needs of the organism.

End of Article: GROUP II

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