SALT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XIII, 31 March 1894, Page 308

SALT.

Sodium chlorid, or common salt, is a necessity of animal life. Wild animals of tbe herbivorous class make regular excursions of many miles to * salt licks,' or other places where it abounds. The human body contains salt in large proportion. The blood tastes of it, and in greater or less quantities it is found in all the many fluids and juices manufactured by the various glands of the body. That its presence is not accidental but designed is shown by the study of some of the essential factors of the organism when deprived of it. Recent experiments have proved that the white corpuscles of the blood swell and burst quickly in distilled water. Protoplasm is inactive, and the cilia, or fringe-like edges of certain cells stop their motion when deprived of sodium chlorid ; while in a salt solution they remain active and intact. It is stated that by the passage of salt through the body the absorption of food is stimulated, and the activity of tissue changes and growth is increased. It is a matter of common observation that the swallowing of salt produces thirst, which is but saying that certain organs are stimulated to activity thereby, and consequently demand more fluid in order to continue their normal activity. Many children doubtless sutler from an insufficient supply of common salt, especially when artificial foods are ■rsed. Such children are often weak and poorly nourished. Their digestion proceeds slowly, absorption of digested products is delayed, and they become emaciated. The doctor is called, and with the order to add a * pinch ’ of salt to the milk or other prepared foods, the appetite improves, the digestion is stimulated, and a proper condition of nourishment returns. It is more than probable that the chlorine element of the hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice is supplied by this salt. In this fact persons who live largely on a vegetable diet may find a reason for a weak digestion and insufficient acidity, for the mineral matter found in vegetables consists, for the most port, of potash salts, which do not satisfy the demands of the animal organism. The water of mineral springs is chiefly efficacious in that it supplies both salt and water to the blood in increased quantity. The salt tends to increase tissue changes, and the greater supply of water hastens the excretion of the waste products which are thereby generated.