New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-02-02
THE DIErETIC USE OF ALKALIEs.

To tie Editor Of TIE ~ Y Tribune.
SIR: Since the appearance OF my late article IN
The TRIBUNE, the inquiry has been made, again and
sos;n-bo,b by letter and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. soda is
as injurious ss saleraus Now, there is mach to be
,aid on this subject in order to render it fully intel
lieible. But though cannot pledge myself TO sat
sfy that public curiosity which is very properly ex
cited proceed to few further remarks and explain
atoms.
There are two ways in which the diesetic of the
akaties, coda and potash, prove injurious. First by
direct action On the lining membranes OF the alimen-
tary canal. For though the mucous membranes are
10 some measure protected from these attacks by the
secretions Their suraces espt caly the mucous Sc
cre,iop itself yet it is well known that they are occa-
sionally attacked; and that sub inflammation, apb-
tbous appearances, and even to some extent ulcera-
ton is the consequence But these results are charge
able for the part, the free alks or at lesst
on the excess of aksl which often exists House
keepert-eitber in ignorance or from blind devotion
TO custom-co not always restrict themselves 10 just
such measure Of the alka will be neutraized by
the acid Of the bread other food in which they in
corporate it; DOR do they who are so frequently TAX.
ing these ak allies corrective 10 what they call
sour stomachs. There lie, too ofteD-perhsps should
say almost alwsys-an excess OF alkali. There IL al
least danger of excess. well as of enf-ebled vi
tally in the stomach or the alimentary canal, TO an
extent that shall permit Of a new play OF chemical
siDities, and produce that HIND and degree OF de-
way for frequent and fatal disease of the somsc1 and
bowel and other parts which contiguous to them,
or which deeply sympatbize with them In all their
suftrings.
Ii is under his head and to this part cular point,
that my former remarks mainly applicable And
thus far as suppose saleratus, in the common use
Of the term-tbat is, carbonate of potash is doing
more mischief thso coda. But there is another vieE
of the evil which deserves our attention
Even when we use Salerstus in such proportions
and combinations a. TO effect naturalization in the
stomach or duodepum, there is still residuum which
is of tie ak aliDe family Thus, when housekeepsr
puts saleratus in her bread TO neutraize me sceuc
acid thextn new alliance takes place, and the result
is acetate of potash and csrbopic acid The latter,
berg set free initiates or raises the loaf while the
acetate of potash remains TO exert all the me6icoal
irritating effects which acetate OF potash rsa.ly
has when thrown into the living system. These,
The ugh not a. severe those of salersus are never
the)ess very undesirable.
Now, the greater. and probably more severe and
more fatal effects OF all these substances viz: potash,
saIera US and soda salerstus, as they vulgarly
called together with mt ct of the substances which,
in the alnentsry canal, and especially when the
vitality Of ts lining membrane Is feeble result from
new play of chemical sfntes, are manifested ster
they carried the crcul ttion Ii these ak les
ssy their thousands by their effects the sme ntay
canal. they clay their ten thousands BY the double
tntets Of combined attack on the citadel OF life,
through the medium Of the circulation and general
.ston ach and bowels
Amope other letters received of late one from re.
spectacle bouse in NeSYork, which claims the honor
and the benevolence of making yearly oae million
pounds OF " double refined soda saleratusr Thsv
ssy-snd they brig three four highly respectable
names 10 sustain their assertionthst soda sseratus
lie superior to potash salerstus Suppose it weie So
Suppose, to quote their own language, they have
been epdeavorng for years, without success, ito
convince consumers Of saerstus thst their Al arsi.
"ce" is more wholesome thsn the common .slsr s;as
What then million OF pounds Of soda sslers,us
has probably dors mischief enough. Pope speaks Of