cladking Wrote:
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> This could imply "one pellet of
> natron" is an
> instruction much like "to say four times" is an
> instruction.

That is correct. They were considered offerings and part of the purification ritual.



>
> An ounce or two of natron dropped down a hole into
> a small cav-
> ern of highly carbonated water would certainly
> clear one's throat.


Perhaps, but natron was known to be used for drying out the tissue of a mummy. This is based on real evidence from the culture in question.

Other speculative uses, such as the one you suggest, have no evidence to support their existence. Ergo, we cannot begin any reasonable theorizing with that hypothesis.

Anthony

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him think.