These substances operate as natural antidotes, combining with the nitrate, and if its quantity is not too great, immediately converting it into chloride of silver; a substance very slightly soluble, and therefore incapable of combining with the tissues, although to the extent of its solubility it has a medicinal influence, through an entirely different class of organic actions.
"A System Of Logic, Ratiocinative And Inductive (Vol. 1 of 2)"
John Stuart Mill
A requisite of all chemicals to be employed is their ready solubility in water.
"The Electric Bath"
George M. Schweig
They are, in fact, modified by the action of the soda, so as to acquire much greater solubility in water than they otherwise possess.
"Peat and its Uses as Fertilizer and Fuel"
Samuel William Johnson