Silicon

SILICON (Silicium), chemical symbol Si, atomic number 14; metalloid of the carbon group, atomic weight 28.06. Obtained in crystalline form in the shape of black needles with a melting point of 1,451°, and also in an amorphous (more active) state; it dissolves in hot alkalis and in a mixture of hydrofluoric and the propaganda of the idea of cremation, which was led by adherents of "fire burial," united in societies, preceded this. In October 1927, the board of the society for the dissemination and development of the idea of cremation (abbreviated ORRIK) was organized in Moscow, the branches of which are now being set up in various cities of the USSR. Propaganda is carried out by organizing lectures, excursions to the crematorium, consulting work, etc. Prior to this, the "First Exhibition on Cremation in Russia," opened on 19/X 1924 by the State Institute of Social Hygiene in Moscow, played a historical role in the propaganda of the idea of cremation and the acceleration of the construction of the crematorium in Moscow. This exhibition, which later became a permanent department of the Museum for Health Protection of the People's Commissariat of Health (Moscow), served as a model for setting up similar exhibitions in the "Houses of Health Education" in Leningrad, Omsk, Samara, etc., since the propaganda of the idea of cremation is included in our work of health education. Foreign associations publish numerous journals, brochures, yearbooks, organize exhibitions, convene congresses and conventions, etc. The role of associations abroad, especially in Germany, is enormous. The best confirmation is the union in Germany of more than 1 million members in all cremation societies. These associations have their own houses, their own woodworking plants, workshops, cars for transporting the deceased to the crematorium and specifically for lecturers traveling with slides and a lantern to surrounding areas, their own nitric acid. In the free state, it is not found in nature; in the form of various compounds, it is one of the main components of the earth's crust (natural silicates-minerals). Silica SiO₂ (silicic anhydride, silicon dioxide) is very common, being part of many rocks (quartz, tridymite, cristobalite, amorphous silica). In small quantities, silica is widely distributed in animal tissues and fluids, in epithelial formations, glands, connective tissues, muscles, blood, milk, urine (more in the urine of herbivores), urinary stones, etc. The shells of some lower animals (bacillariophyceae, infusoria) consist of silica. Silica forms the skeleton of sponges, the shells of diatoms (part of earthy rocks-diatomaceous earth), and is contained in the hard parts of straw, in some types of horsetail, bamboo. Silica is a white powder, soluble only in hydrofluoric acid. By fusing silica with salts of Na and potassium, sodium silicate and potassium silicate are obtained. Solutions of these salts are called water glass. In technology, water glass is used in putties for metal objects as an adhesive for joining glass and stone, for impregnating fabrics, which makes them fireproof, and in soap making as a filler for soap. The use of silicic acid H₂SiO₃ and its salts has also become widespread in therapy. Silicates-glass and clay-are of enormous importance. Observations (Kunkel and Kail) established a relationship between the function of the pancreas and silicon metabolism; tuberculosis and cancer patients excrete less silicic acid in their urine than healthy people. The silica content in the pancreas is lowered in acute tuberculosis, while in cases of cured tuberculosis it is increased. The introduction of silicon compounds into the body causes leukocytosis, accelerates the formation of scars, improves subjective signs: appetite, well-being, lowers temperature (in tuberculosis patients), reduces itching (pruritus senilis), and has a beneficial effect on angina attacks. These results of the action of silicon compounds served as a reason for the use of silicon in pulmonary tuberculosis, arteriosclerosis, skin diseases, etc. Other authors deny both the specific action of silicon and the favorable results of its use, or consider it as an agent that causes irritation of the protoplasm (Reiztherapie). Silica preparations: 1. Amorphous silicic acid-Acidum silicicum amorphum; dose 0.06 twice a day in tablets, better with calcium phosphate, for delayed ossification of cartilage. 2. Liquid sodium glass-Liquor natrii silicici-natrium silicicum liquidum-is used for rigid surgical dressings made of cardboard, gauze, etc. 3. Natrium silicicum purissimum siccum-internally: in pills for uric acid diathesis, dose-0.1-0.25 per day. For tuberculosis, arteriosclerosis, deforming arthritis, 0.05 three times a day. For pemphigus, 0.1 up to 10 times a day. Intravenously: 0.01 in a 1% solution-once a week for tuberculosis, arteriosclerosis, bronchial asthma. 4. Silicol-Silicol-silicic acid, metaphosphoric casein preparation, containing 0.1 g of colloidal silica in a tablet, 2-3 times a day for tuberculosis and skin diseases. 5. Silistren-Silistren-tetraglycol ether of orthosilicic acid with 18% SiO₂; syrupy, hygroscopic liquid. Used for pulmonary tuberculosis and for the treatment of non-healing wounds; for adults-25-30 drops 3 times a day after meals, for children-10-15 drops 2 times a day. 6. Siliquid-Siliquid-colloidal preparation of silica, not containing protein as a protective colloid, contains 0.3% SiO₂. Causes leukocytosis and is used intravenously at 0.5-1.0 cm³ for infectious diseases (typhoid fever), septicemia, etc. Side effects when using silica preparations: intensification of the process in the lungs with deep-seated cavities, local tissue irritation with subcutaneous and intramuscular injection of colloidal silica preparations, sometimes chills with intravenous injection. To reduce the alkalinity of the solution of Natr. silicici purissimi sicci when injecting it into a vein, minimal amounts of iodine are added. A contraindication to the use of silicon preparations is kidney disease.