the
vocal cords, and their regulating structures." As our pages show,
several of the Precious Stones used for personal jewelry contain
potassium as a leading constituent; which are, therefore, to be
commended for curative wear under the conditions of physical
infirmities thus indicated.
It
should be always remembered, not only in the requirements under our
present consideration, but likewise in general, with regard to jewel
wearing, and jewel-uses externally, when having remedial purposes in
view, that such jewels must be so set that the bottom facets of the
several stones shall come into immediate unintercepted contact with the
skin of the hand, or other part upon which each of such Precious Stones
is worn, or applied.
Sodium (Natron,
or Natrum);—a Carbonate of Soda; is found as a crystal, or in the form
of an efflorescent powder, in several parts of the world, being at the
same time a constituent of certain mineral waters, which are thereby
made alkaline. It may be procured by the chemist from barilla, from
kelp, or from sulphate of soda. Barilla is an ash usually obtained by
the combustion of plants belonging to the chenopods, (or goose-foot
Order), whilst kelp is procured by the combustion of plants belonging
to the Order Algacecs (sea-weeds). By digesting kelp in a
small-quantity of water, and filtering, and evaporating the solution,
crystals of carbonate of soda may be procured. It has been imagined by
mediciners that, as soda is contained in the tissues of animals more
abundantly than potash, it should prove a more appropriate remedial agent within the body than potash. But experience seems to have proved the reverse : to account for which fact Sir George Blane
