Bolus Alba

BOLUS ALBA, white clay, represents a water-silicate of aluminum (aluminum silicate) with 40-45% of silicic acid. This variety of pure clay is obtained by decanting the clay used in the manufacture of faience from traces of sand and by washing with 5% hydrochloric acid to remove lime. B. a. is a white loose powder, insoluble in weak acids and water; it gives a colloidal suspension with the latter. Thanks to its colloidal nature, it possesses strong absorptive, water-absorbing and enveloping capacity, a mild astringent action, and prevents putrefaction. It is applied for the filling of pills with easily decomposing substances, such as silver nitrate, calomel, etc., and also for therapeutic purposes. Internally it is taken in acute gastro-enteritis, typhoid fever, cholera, food poisoning, meteorism, in doses of 50.0-150.0 (for children 10.0-15.0), as a suspension in a sufficient amount of water (drink slowly). Externally it is applied in surgery and dermatology in the form of a powder (sterilize) for drying and deodorizing in cancers, amputation stumps, leg ulcers, burns; in gynecology for leukorrhea; in ulcerative proctitis in the form of enemas. Preparations: Bolusal, a combination of sterilized B. a. and aluminum hydrate—for internal and external use. Boluphen, a preparation consisting of B. a., formalin and phenol—a powder for external use. Carbolsal, B. a. with animal charcoal—for internal use.