Seidlitz powder
Encyclopedia
Seidlitz powder is the name with which is commonly known a medication composed by a mixture of tartaric acid
, sodium bicarbonate
, and potassium sodium tartrate
, used as a mild cathartic
by dissolving in water and drinking.
After ingestion, the powder combines with gastric juices developing intestinal gases which are somewhat helpful in evacuating the taker's bowels. However their use could also lead to unpleasant side effects, and could be even fatal in subjects with conditions such as hernia
, bowel obstructions and other ailments.
This medication's name comes from the Seidlitz Saline Springs of Bohemia
(now Sedlčany
in the Czech Republic
), which were rather famous in Europe at the time this medication was first marketed in the late 19th century, even though the foregoing laxative constituents do not represent those of the springs named.
Tartaric acid
Tartaric acid is a white crystalline diprotic organic acid. It occurs naturally in many plants, particularly grapes, bananas, and tamarinds; is commonly combined with baking soda to function as a leavening agent in recipes, and is one of the main acids found in wine. It is added to other foods to...
, sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is the chemical compound with the formula Na HCO3. Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slightly salty, alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda . The natural mineral form is...
, and potassium sodium tartrate
Potassium sodium tartrate
Potassium sodium tartrate is a double salt first prepared by an apothecary, Pierre Seignette, of La Rochelle, France. As a result the salt was known as Seignette's salt or Rochelle salt....
, used as a mild cathartic
Cathartic
In medicine, a cathartic is a substance that accelerates defecation. This is in contrast to a laxative, which is a substance which eases defecation, usually by softening feces. It is possible for a substance to be both a laxative and a cathartic...
by dissolving in water and drinking.
After ingestion, the powder combines with gastric juices developing intestinal gases which are somewhat helpful in evacuating the taker's bowels. However their use could also lead to unpleasant side effects, and could be even fatal in subjects with conditions such as hernia
Hernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
, bowel obstructions and other ailments.
This medication's name comes from the Seidlitz Saline Springs of Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
(now Sedlčany
Sedlcany
Sedlčany is a town in the Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic.Sedlčany is famous for its cheese Hermelín, which is more commonly known as Brie, or Camembert. -External links:*...
in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
), which were rather famous in Europe at the time this medication was first marketed in the late 19th century, even though the foregoing laxative constituents do not represent those of the springs named.