Sodium is a metallic element with symbol Na ,atomic no.11 atomicweight-22.991 silvery white lustrous alkali metal of the consistency of wax oxidising rarely in air or water. The salts of sodium are extensively used in medicine.

The cation sodium has its physiological task in water movement and acid base equilibrium. Its quantity in body fluids is so great. Its marked swelling action on colloids, its property of binding water and the great capacity of its dissociation of salts makes it chiefly as the chloride compound the chemical regulator of water balance. In the acid base equilibrium it acts in the first place in the form of carbonates and to a far less extent in the form of phosphate.

Chemical actions of sodium
The neutralisation of gastric acid through weakly alkaline sodium carbonate is a mass chemical action. Large doses of sodium carbonate before meals will produce a hypotonia of stomach and shallow peristalsis

NaCI provides a sodium ion which is a constant constituent of blood and tissue fluids in general. The so called buffer action of
carbonate against excess acid in body fluids rest upon the ease with which carbon dioxide is taken up or given off.

Sodium serves as an easily available transporting agent for decomposition products. The close connection of sodium to water
regulation can be considered best in sodium chloride and concerning intestinal secretion in connection with sodium sulphate.

Small doses of sodium carbonate increases the excretion of urea with a simultaneous reduction in uric acid output.

For purely palliative effects of threatening acidosis large amounts of sodium carbonate were in use. But excessive use of alkaline diet as in forced fruit diuresis and too excessive use of alkaline water favours the formation of inflammatory urate foci. Intravenous injection of soda solution in animals gives rise to pallor and complete cessation of circulation,

Sodium influences the optimum H+ concentration in digestive processes. By the development of HCl in the stomach a great deal of sodium is made free for combination with carbonate and is an essential participant in the preparation of alkaline intestinal juices.

This role of sodium in digestive processes is a chemical mass action on receptive organs. Rectal administration of sodium bicarbonate lessens the gastric acid secretion. Sodium ion is a physiological intermediator of chloride carbonate exchange.

SODIUM AS CONSTITUTIONAL AGENTS.

Sodium is mainly concerned with an oxygenoid warm febrile tendency and an erysthetic constitution of accelerated rhythm. They are hyperasthetic easily irritable and thin. They show an increased functioning of the endocrine glands associated with sympathetic system under the leadership of thyroid. They are basedowed type Iodine Chlorine, Iron, Nitrates and Phosphorus
show these tendencies. Sulphur has partly oxidising and partly reducing functions in metabolism.

On the electropositive side of the periodic system we get the tonic form giving elements. If the alkali and alkaline earth metals like Na, K. Mg and Ca as cations determines the drug picture , they shape it as hydrogenoid, cold sensitive to cold relaxed torpid lymphatic constitutional type stigmated along the side of parasympathetic system,

From the endocrine side they tends towards a hyper thyroid state and the function of lymphatic apparatus is increased. The neuro muscular tensions altered m such a way that they show a prolonged way of reaction with paroxysmal discharges and tetanoid states.

MEMBERS OF THE NATRUM GROUP

1. Natrum aceticum
2. Natrum acetylosuiphuricum
3. Natrum arsenicosum
4. Natrum benzoicum
5. Natrum biboracicum
6. Natrum boracicum
7. Natrum bicarbonicum
8. Natrum bisulfurosum
9. Natrum boricum
10.Natrum bromatum
11.Natrum cacodylicum
I2 .Natrum carbonicum
13.Natrum caustieum
14.Natrum chloratum
15.Natrum cholemicum
16.Natrum chloricum
17.Natrum chromicum
18.Natrum citricum
19.Natrum cyanatum
20.Natmm carbonicum
21.Natrum formicum
22.Natrum flouratum
23.Natrum glycocholicum
24-Natnim eentisatum
25.Natrum glycerophosphoricum
26.Natrum gluconicum
27.Natrum hypochlorosum
28.Natrum hyposulfurosum
29.Natrum hexa meta phosphoricum
30.Natrum hydroxidum
31.Natrum hypophosphoricum
32.Natrum iodatum
33.Natrum lacticum
34.Natrum marinum
35.Natrum methyl arsenicum
36.Natrum methylate
37.Natrum metallicum
38.Natrum molybdicum
39.Natrum metavanadicum
40.Natrum muriaticum
41.Natrum nicotinicum
42.Natrum nitrosum
43.Natrum nitricum
44.Natrum oleicum
45.Natrum oxaloaceticum
46.Natrum oxahcum
47.Natrum oxidatum
48.Natrum permanganicum  49.Natrum propionicum
50-Natrum phosphoricum
51-Natrum sahcylicum
52.Natrum selenicum
53.Natnim silicatum
54.Natrum silicoflouricum
55.Natrum silicicum
56,Natrum stanaicum
57.Natrum succinicum
58.Natrum succinate
59-Natrum sulfuratum
60.Natrum sulfuronicuni
61.Natrum sulfurosum
62.Natrum sulphocarbohcum
63.Natrum sulphuricum
64.Natrum tartaricum
65-Natrum taurocholicum
66-Natrum telluricum
67.Natrumthiocinamuiumcyaiiatm
68.Natrum valerian icum
69.Natrum vanadicum
70.Sodnbicarbonas
71.Aurum muriaticum natronatum
72.Kalium Natrum tartaricum
73.Natrummethylarsenicum
74.Magnesium arterflacialis

COMMON CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF NATRUM GROUP

1.Salts of soda are particularly indicated in complaints that appear every summer or in spring. Electrical changes in atmosphere or direct rays of sun gives rise to various complaints.

Synthesis - Gen-Season -summer agg-Natmur, Natrum carb, borax
Spring - Natrum mur, Natrum sulph
Kent - Gen-Weather-hot weather agg -Natrum curb, Natrummur ,natrumsulph, borax
        - thunder storm-Natrum carb, Natrum mur, Natrum phos
Head-Sunstroke-Natrumcarb, Natrum mur
Natmm mur- Great debility in summer, patient feels as though he would faint when walking in sun

Natrum carb- Great debility caused by heat of summer,particulariy when the patient is subjected to chronic head aches which are worse every time when when he exposes himself to heat of sun. chronic effects of sunstroke and now with return of weather suffers from headaches.
Natrum selenicum- Intolerence of heat of sun and extreme weakness when walking under sun.

2. Sadness depression and melancholia and anxiety. There is weeping tendency which is aggravated by consolation.
Mind - sadness
Mind - weeping-Natrum ars, Natrum carb, Natrum mur, Natrum phos,Natrum sulph, Natrum silMind-anxiety-Natrmn ars, Natruna carb, Natrummur, Natrum phos, Natrum sulph, borax

Borax- Great anxiety from downward motion. When laying the child down on a couch or a crib it cries and clings to the nurse. Anxiety when going downstairs or rapidly down hill, horse back riding etc.
Natrum ars- depressed as if something impending cannot concentrate.
Natrum sal- depression
Natrum brom'- sadness and melancholia
Natrum carb- sadness and discouragement with tears about future
Natrum hypochlorosum- distressed laughs and cries .talks in sleep.
Natrum mur- sadness which induces recurrences of unpleasant recollections and much weeping aggravated by consolation.
Natrum nitricum- Great ill humour and indolence.
Natrum phos- despondent, could not study fears bad news
Natrum sulph- melancholy with periodical attacks of mania. Sadness and inclined to weep. Satiety of life, must use much self control to prevent himself shooting- Mental effects of injury to head. Melancholy and lachrymation especially after hearing music.
Natrum salicylicum- weariness and depression.

3. Looks on the dark side of every thing,Pessmsstic. -Natrum mur

4. Changeablity of moods
Mind -moods-changeable-Natrum carb, Natrum mur
Borax-laughter alternates with weeping.

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