Seidlitz Powders

Seidlitz Powders (so named from the village of Seidlitz or Sedlitz in northern Bohemia, where there is a spring of natural aperient mineral-water with similar constituents) are composed of 120 grains of tartrate of soda and potash and 40 grains of bicarbonate of soda reduced to powder, mixed and enclosed in a blue paper, and 38 grains of powdered tartaric acid in a white paper. The contents of the blue paper are dissolved in from half a tumbler to a tumbler of water, and those of the white paper are then stirred in. The mixture should be taken while the effervescence from the liberation of the carbonic acid is still going on. These powders act as an agreeable and mild cooling aperient. If a stronger dose is required, either an increased quantity of the powder may be used, or a little sulphate of magnesia (about a drachm) may be added.