pSj SOD quality of the goods will be im- paired ; nor the hands of women, when the soda is judiciously em- ployed, be injured in ihc same man- ner, as generally happens by the common ley. Fartlicr, as frequent bathing or washing of the body greatly conduces to health, it has been re- commended to dissolve a small portion of soda in the water thus employed ; or, at least to pass a towel wetted with a solution of soda and soap, over the surface} for such practice opens the pores, and re- juoves the disagreeable odour aris- ing from profuse perspiration : — a similar application will be produc- tive of equal advantage to horses that are employed for racing, post- ehaises, or other purposes, where great exertions arc required. If a weak solution of soda be poured into foul bottles or casks, in •which wine has been kept for a considerable time, it will com- pletely dissolve the tartarous crust that is formed ou their inner sur- face : — ^boot-tops, saddles, or brj- <i!es, may with such liquid be ef- fc6tually cleansed, while the origi- nal colour of the leather is pre- served. This alkali may, likewise, be employed for sweetening kitehea- utensils, and particularly for re- moving grease or acids from copper vessels J because these concretions, when suffered to remain, form a strong poison, and may be produc- tive of deleterious etfe6ts. In a si- milar manner, it may be used for tin and iron vessels, to prevent them from becoming rusty . Lastly, as the utensils of the dairy are apt to acquire an acid, disagreeable smell, duriiTg the sanmier, and par- , ticularly after a tliunder-storm, though every attention ^e bestovr- SOF ed on them, such fetor may be comoletely removed by a stnal! portion of soda, which will render the milk-vessels perfeftlv sweet ; while it nentralixes and dispels the acid ferment imbibed by the wood, and which might otherwise taint the milk. The crystals of soda are not lesS useful in a medicinal point of view. Thus, a solution of this salt, is an excellent gutgfe for cleaiising the throat, mouth, and gums, both in a sound and in a diseased or ulce- rated state ; while it whitens the teeth ; and dissolves all incrusta- tions that may be formed on their surface, without injuring their ena- mel. And, if a sfnall quantity of this liquid be occasionally sv^al- lowed, after washing the faucts, it is said effe^ually to remove a fetid Ireath. Soda is, in many instances, preferable to magnesia, for correft- ing acidity in the stomach ; nay, it is even asserted, that it prevcnls the gout, gravel, stone, and similar disorders : lastly, if the fossil alkali be mixed with cream of tartar, in the proportion of 14 parts of the former to 12 of the latter, it fur- nishes one of the mildest laxatives; namely, the Rochelle Salt. — See also Glauber's Salt. SOl'T-GRASS, the Mf.adott, or HoLcus lavatus, L. a native pe- rennial, growing in meadows and pastures, particularly in moist, light situations : it flowers in the months of June and July. This grass, though vegetating late in the season, is very produAive ; but Is not much relished by cattle : it makes a soft, spongy hay, that is very hurtful to horses; which, by eating it, become affefted with a profuse discharge of urine, and general weakness. In case any hay, obt'ained from this vegetable, be acci-
