CHLORINE

The Natural Disinfectant

Chlorine exists in the form of a salt (chloride) in the human body. It is present mostly in the extracellular fluid.

Chlorine is a greenish-yellow poisonous, gaseous element with a suffocating odour. In the body it is mostly present as sodium chloride or common salt, which performs various essential functions.

Functions in the Body

Chloride is essential for the proper distribution of carbon dioxide and the maintenance osmotic pressure in the tissues. It is necessary for the manufacture of glandular hormone secretions. It prevents the building of excessive fat and autointoxican. Chloride regulates the alkali-acid balance in the blood. It works with potassium in a compound form. 

Sources.

Chloride is found in barley, wheat and other grains and pulses, green leafy vegetables, and fruits like melon, and pineapple. The chloride that we take is mostly in the combined form of sodium chloride. Hence the foods that contain large quantities of sodium also contain chloride in the same proportion and vice versa.

Deficiency Symptoms.

The symptoms produced are the same as those which occur with sodium chloride deficiency. Excessive loss of salt from the body due to perspiration can result in heat cramps. Deficiency may lead to loss of hair and teeth. It may also result in impaired digestion of foods and derangement of fluid levels in the body.

Healing and Therapeutic Properties

Chlorine is widely used in disinfecting water for drinking. It is also used in swimming pools. Taken in the form of eusol, which contains hypochlorus acid, chlorine is used to disinfect chronic ulcers, but this usage is limited because its action is stopped by the presence of excessive organic matters.

Salt intake during summer should be sufficient to meet the body’s requirements, as there is excessive vomiting and diarrhoea due to heat.

Precautions :

The fumes of chlorine are poisonous. Chlorine is used for bleaching, and some household bleach, which contain hypochlorites give off chlorine to produce their effect. If they are swallowed, the stomach, gullet, and mouth can be seriously irritated.