Saline expectorant

Inhalation of hypertonic saline is a noninvasive diagnostic test using nonradioactive aerosols and results in expectoration of sputum. The cellular content of the sputum, related to the degree of inflammation present in the lung in asthma, is then measured using specific laboratory techniques and provides an objective means of monitoring the disease and the effectiveness of antiinflammatory therapy. Scheduling of these tests, either pre- or postinhalation of the tracer aerosol, would be determined by the clinical question or the research objective. 

For patients unable to expectorate, sputum induction with aerosolized hypertonic saline may produce a diagnostic sample. Bronchoscopy, or aspiration of gastric fluid via a nasogastric tube, may be attempted in selected patients. For patients with suspected extrapul-monary TB, samples of draining fluid, biopsies of the infected site, or both may be attempted. Blood cultures are positive occasionally, especially in AIDS patients. ... 

H2O). pA i 2.98 p 2 4.34 (25°). Cream of tartar (the K,H salt) is used in baking powder Rochelle salt (the K,Na salt) is used in electroplating and medicinally as a mild saline cathartic preparation tartar emetic (the KSb salt) is used in low dose as an expectorant in cough syrups and in large doses as an emetic. 

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