Sodium bicarbonate

“ Sodium bicarbonate, commonly called baking soda, is used to spread and lighten the cakes, as well as for its neutralizing power, as in contact with acids it develops carbonic acid gas, thus leavening the cakes.
Ammonia carbonate is the strongest of this class of leavenings known in the manufacture of cakes, but leaves a displeasing flavor and coarse grain if used in too large quantities; employed in part with soda bicarbonate it usually gives very satisfactory results. ”

“ Sodium bicarbonate, even in 4 or 5% concentration, does not have any haemolysing effect on the red cells. Of course it is true that in sterilization the bicarbonate tends to be converted into carbonate but Sellards found that by sterilization in an autoclave connected with live steam, at 7 pounds pressure, this was minimized, only about 25% of the bicarbonate being converted into carbonate after 1 hour.
If the temperature by rectum is about normal or slightly below, the temperature of the fluid should be 102° to 104°F. and one usually gives about 2 quarts. ”

“ The greater part of the sodium is precipitated as bicarbonate, while chloride of ammonium remains in solution, from which the ammonia for a second operation is expelled by quicklime. The carbonic acid necessary to convert the ammonia into bicarbonate of ammonia, and thus make the process a continuous one, is obtained by heating the bicarbonate of soda to convert it into the simple carbonate.
“The sensation which the ammonia process has created in industrial circles will render a brief history of its development not uninteresting. ”

“ Colorless, transparent crystals or white, granular powder, odorless and having a saline, slightly alkaline taste. Freely soluble in water (1:2.8) and almost insoluble in alcohol.
Action and Uses: Mild alkali; similar to sodium bicarbonate, but without advantage over the latter.
Dosage: 1 Gm. or 15 grains (U.S.P.) .
Liquor Antisepticus Alkalinus (Liq. Antisept. Alk.) , Alkaline Antiseptic Solution, N.F.—Potassium bicarbonate (3.2%) , sodium borate (3.2%) and sodium benzoate (0.8%) with thymol, eucalyptol, oil of peppermint, methyl salicylate and cudbear in alcohol, glycerin and water. ”

“ This procedure must be continued until the sulphureted hydrogen is all removed, since it reacts with iodine. If no precipitation of the sulphide occurs, it is an indication that the sulphureted hydrogen was all expelled on solution of the stibnite.]
[Note 4: Ammonium hydroxide is added to neutralize most of the acid, thus lessening the amount of sodium bicarbonate to be added. The ammonia should not neutralize all of the acid.] ”

“ In clinical, pharmacological, and physiological text-books it is stated now, as ever, that these salts promote a flow of gastric juice. We may look in vain, however, for any experimental foundation to support this doctrine. The experiments brought forward cannot be regarded as conclusive. When Blondlot sprinkled [Pg 278] sodium bicarbonate upon flesh, or Braun and Grützner introduced sodium chloride solutions directly into the blood, they began with methods either false in themselves or far removed from normal conditions. ”

“ Into this liquor of brine and ammonium sulphide pure carbonic acid gas is now passed. The ammonium sulphide is decomposed, pure sulphureted hydrogen gas is given off, which is conducted to a gas holder and stored, while ammonium bicarbonate is formed in the liquor, which brings about the conversion of the salt into bicarbonate of sodium, ready for removal and preparation for the market. ”

“ SALES EFFERVESCENTES, GRANULAR EFFERVESCENT SALTS.—Effervescent salts are mixtures of active constituents with sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and tartaric acid. They are usually directed to be produced and dispensed in coarse granules. Their advantage over other methods of administering active ingredients is rather doubtful. For effervescent salts included in the Pharmacopeia and in the National Formulary, see under the names of the active ingredients. For Sal Carolinum Factitium and Sal Carolinum Factitium Effervescens, see under Sodii Sulphas ”

“ The small tablets had an average weight of 34·3 grains. Analysis showed them to contain sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid, but in this case [Pg 97] the latter was in excess and the product acid; the other ingredients were sodium chloride, phenolphthalein, and talc. The results of quantitative determinations indicated the following formula (more carbon dioxide had been lost in this case; the figures add up to 108·5, the reason being that given above) :
The estimated cost of the ingredients of the contents of a 2s. ”

“ It begins, however, not with ready-made ammonium bicarbonate, but with the substances from which it is formed—ammonia, water and carbon dioxide—which are made to act on sodium chloride. In practice the process is carried out as follows. A nearly saturated solution of sodium chloride is obtained by purifying natural or artificial brine, i.e. an impure solution of common salt, especially removing the alkaline earths and so forth by addition of sodium or ammonium carbonate and settling out the precipitate formed. ”

“ A commoner objection to baking-powder is that it leaves a soapy taste, resulting from an excess of soda. Excess of acid is far less objectionable and less common. Other acids may be used, as, for instance, sour milk, or butter-milk, which makes excellent bread with bicarbonate of soda. Liebig recommended acid phosphates of lime, chloride of sodium, and bicarbonate of soda, which very gently and slowly evolves the gas, and, therefore, makes better bread than substances that effervesce quickly and are soon still. ”

“ Alkaline Waters are such as contain carbonate (chiefly bicarbonate) of soda, along with an excess of carbonic acid. Of the action of those carbonates it is known that when taken into the stomach they are neutralized by the gastric juice, and converted into chloride of sodium. On their introduction into the stomach, they produce an increased flow of gastric juice. If given during or immediately after meals in any quantity, they impede digestion. They slightly increase peristaltic action, but only feebly, unless assisted by other salts. They act slightly as diuretics. ”

“ They are especially useful in men who drink too little water at home, in gouty and plethoric subjects, and in states of acid stomach digestion and chronic constipation. The alkaline and saline waters are the best, the former containing a notable proportion of the carbonate or bicarbonate of sodium, potassium, or lithium—the latter having neutral salts in considerable quantity. ”

“ The operation is finished when all the sodium sulphide has been converted into normal sodium carbonate, partly also into acid sodium carbonate (bicarbonate) NaHCO3; at the same time a precipitate is formed, consisting of ferrous sulphide, alumina and silica, which is removed by another settling tank, and the clear liquor is now ready either for boiling down in a “fishing-pan” for the manufacture of white soda-ash, or for the process of causticizing.
Soda-ash (as well as caustic soda) is sold by degrees of “available soda.” ”

“ Nitrogen gas occurs especially in hot sulphur springs, with carburetted hydrogen, oxygen, and sulphuretted hydrogen as lesser gaseous ingredients. Mineral springs are classified as follows, according to the salts from which they derive their specific importance. 1. Chalybeate or Ferruginous Springs. The distinguishing characteristic of these is the presence of iron dissolved as a bicarbonate, or in the inferior ones as a sulphate. Their other ingredients are bicarbonates of manganese, soda, lime, and magnesia, chloride of sodium, sulphate of soda and of potash, &c. ”

“ Concentration of the fine Metal in Lead.—The best flux for quartz, which makes up the earthy matter of most gold ores, is soda, and this is best added as carbonate or bicarbonate. By theory, [20] 50 grams of quartz will require 88.5 grams of the carbonate, or 140 grams of the bicarbonate, to form sodium silicate, which is a glassy, easily-fusible substance, making a good slag. If the bicarbonate is used, and heat is applied gradually, steam and carbonic acid are given off at a comparatively low temperature, and the carbonate is left ”

“ It throws up 133 cubic inches of water per minute. It is perfectly clear, and disengages much carbonic acid gas. It takes a good while to become decomposed, when it throws down some whitish flakes, but no oxide of iron. It has no odour, and the taste is brisk and refreshing, rather alkaline, but not in the least chalybeate.
Contents.-1⁄4 grain of silex—7 grs. of bicarbonate of soda—a mere trace of iron—11⁄2 gr. carbonate of lime—131⁄2 grs. sulphate of soda—7 grs. of muriate of soda—total about 30 grains, with 20 cubic inches of carbonic acid gas in the pint. ”

“ It is less volatile and pungent than the neutral carbonate; soluble in 4 parts of water at 55° Fahr., 3·3 parts at 62°, 2·5 parts at 96°, and 2 parts at 120°; boiling water and alcohol decompose it, with the evolution of carbonic acid gas and ammonia; by age or exposure to air, the surface assumes an opaque white colour, from its carbonate flying off, and the remaining bicarbonate being less volatile. Unlike the carbonate, it can neither be resublimed nor digested or distilled with either alcohol or water, without suffering decomposition. Sp. gr. ”

“ The waters of alkaline springs increase, by their excess of carbonate of soda, the alkalinity and fluidity of the blood. Their action is diuretic, and they are efficacious in all affections of the kidneys, in catarrhs, in affections of the stomach, bladder, and abdomen, and in indigestion, jaundice, gout, and diabetes. According to Bauer, 16 oz. of the water of the Grande Grille (107°) of Vichy contains carbonate of soda 29.19 grains, carbonate of lime 1.92, ammonia 0.036, strontia 0.0178, magnesia 0.27, sulphate of potash 1.567, soda 0.9, phosphate of soda 0.032, and chloride of sodium 4.445. ”

“ Common salt, however, in its natural occurrence, is very much localized; and so it comes that spring and well waters are contaminated chiefly with calcium carbonate and sulphate. Of these two salts, however, the former is held in solution only by the carbonic acid of the water, as calcium bicarbonate. But a carbonate-of-lime water, if exposed to the atmosphere, even at ordinary temperatures, loses its carbonic acid, and the calcium carbonate is precipitated. ”

“ The carbonate, being insoluble in strong alcohol (and many other liquid organic compounds) , is much used for dehydration of the corresponding aqueous preparations. The pure carbonate is constantly used in the laboratory as a basic substance generally, for the disintegration of silicates, and as a precipitant. The industrial preparation serves for the making of flint glass, of potash soap (soft soap) and of caustic potash. Potassium bicarbonate, KHCO3, is obtained when carbonic acid is passed through a cold solution of the ordinary carbonate as long as it is absorbed. ”

“ We are then to treat the residue with cold anhydrous alcohol, taking care to exhaust the substance thoroughly; we evaporate the alcohol in the open air at the ordinary temperature, or still better, in vacuo; we now dissolve the acid residue in the smallest possible quantity of water, and introduce the solution into a small test-tube, and add little by little pure powdered bicarbonate of soda or potash, till a fresh quantity produces no further effervescence of carbonic acid. We then agitate the whole with four or five times its bulk of pure ether, and leave it to settle. ”

“ The following receipts furnish a great variety, and many of them are very easily and cheaply obtained.
In regard to effervescing drinks, Dr. Pereira remarks:
“Water charged with carbonic acid forms a cool and refreshing beverage. It acts as a diaphoretic and diuretic (i. e., to promote perspiration and the healthful action of the kidneys) , and is a most valuable agent for checking nausea and vomiting. When it contains bicarbonate of soda in solution, it proves antacid, and is a most valuable beverage for persons afflicted with calculi in the bladder.” ”

“ If the quantity of carbonic acid diminishes, the bicarbonate of the water is decomposed, half of its carbonic acid escapes into the atmosphere, and the neutral carbonate of lime is precipitated. The aqueous vapor condensed from the air dissolves part of the carbonic acid contained therein, and carries it along, when it falls as rain upon the earth, and takes up there enough lime to form the bicarbonate, which is thus carried back to the sea. ”

“ Of sodium and potassium hydroxide, it may be said that they can be used with all indicators, and their solutions may be boiled, but they absorb carbon dioxide readily and attack the glass of bottles, thereby losing strength; sodium carbonate may be weighed directly if its purity is assured, but the presence of carbonic acid from the carbonate is a disadvantage with many indicators ”

“ A fragment thrown on the surface of water rapidly disengages hydrogen, which gas, however, does not inflame, as happens with potassium; but inflammation occurs if hot water be used, or if the metal be dropped on moist filter paper. Sodium also combines directly, sometimes very energetically, with most non-metallic elements. It also combines with dry ammonia at 300-400° to form sodamide, NaNH 2 , a white waxy mass when pure, which melts at 155°. Heated in a current of carbon dioxide sodamide yields caustic soda and cyanamide, and with nitrous oxide it gives sodium azoimide ”

“ It is soluble in 4 times its weight of water at 60° Fahr.; is fixed in the air, but loses carbonic acid below the temperature of a carbonate at a red heat. It possesses the general alkaline properties of carbonate of potassium, but in an inferior degree, having only a slightly alkaline taste, and, when absolutely pure, not affecting the colour of turmeric.
Pur. In a solution of pure bicarbonate of potassium a solution of mercuric chloride merely causes an opalescence, or very slight white precipitate; if it contains carbonate, a brick-coloured precipitate is thrown down. From 100 gr. ”