Derivation.—Add acetic acid in excess to potassium carbonate. Evaporate to dryness and fuse residue.

Properties.—White, deliquescent, satiny, neutral masses of a peculiar odor; also in a granular form. Soluble in water and alcohol.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, ¹/₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹/₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 gr.

POTASSII CITRAS—POTASSIUM CITRATE

Derivation.—Neutralize potassium carbonate with a solution of citric acid and evaporate to dryness.

Properties.—White, granular, deliquescent powder, saline taste, neutral reaction. Soluble in water.

Dose.—Same as potassium acetate.

Actions.—Potassium acetate and citrate are the least irritant to the stomach of all the potassium salts. They are neutral and have no action on the gastric juice: are not antacid. They are changed into the carbonate of potassium and as such circulate in the blood. Are powerful direct diuretics, stimulate the renal cells direct and increase both the water and the solids of the urine, also diaphoretic; the citrate more than the acetate. They have a slight depressing action on the heart, and slightly expectorant.

Uses.—Potassium acetate and citrate are indicated in irritation or inflammation of the kidneys and bladder and cause absorption of exudations (pleural effusion, for example) through their diuretic power. They are sometimes prescribed in fever on account of slight diaphoretic and powerful diuretic properties. They also stimulate bronchial secretions and make it thinner and are recommended accordingly in bronchitis. They are used in gouty conditions, Bright’s disease, fevers of all kinds, azoturia, dropsical conditions, pleurisy, ascites oedema of the legs, sheath, udder, etc., combined with tonics, as iron, etc.

POTASSII BROMIDUM—POTASSIUM BROMIDE

Derivation.—Potassium bromide may be obtained by adding a slight excess of bromide to a strong solution of potassium hydroxide, evaporating the potassium bromide and bromate to dryness, decomposing the bromate by fusing the mixture with charcoal and purifying the crystallization.

Properties.—Colorless, or white, cubical crystals, or granules; odorless and having a strong saline taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in about fifteen parts of water and in about one hundred and eighty parts of alcohol.

SODII BROMIDUM—SODIUM BROMIDE

Derivation.—Sodium bromide may be obtained in the same manner as potassium bromide, sodium hydroxide being used in place of potassium hydroxide.

Properties.—It occurs in colorless or white, cubical crystals, or a white, granular powder, odorless and having a saline, bitter taste. The salt absorbs moisture from the air without deliquescing. Soluble in one and seven-tenths parts of water and in twelve and a half parts of alcohol.

Action of Potassium and Sodium Bromide.—They are distinguished depressants of the cerebral and spinal functions, also hypnotic, anaphrodisiac, antispasmodic and alterative. The bromide of potash, like all other potassium salts, is especially a cardiac and muscular paralyzant. They are very diffusible and slowly eliminated; long continued doses produce gastric catarrh. They reduce the number of respirations and the heart’s action and force; lessen activity of brain cells, producing sleep; diminish sensibility of peripheral nerves, causing anesthesia of the skin and mucous membrane.

Uses.—The bromides, being particularly useful in the treatment of functional nervous diseases, do not possess nearly the value in veterinary medicine that they have in human practice. Consequently their use is limited mainly to canine disorders, as bromides have little influence upon diseases of horses. They are sometimes used as sedatives to the nervous system, to lower reflex activity, to produce sleep, to subdue excitement of the genital apparatus and to antagonize congestion of the brain. Used extensively in fits of dogs, twenty or thirty grain doses of the bromide of potash or bromide of soda dissolved in a tablespoonful of water; may be used per rectum if necessary in any convulsive or spasmodic condition. In strychnine poisoning, the bromide of potash may be used as an antidote in place of chloral hydrate or conjoined with it.

Doses.—Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 5 to 60 gr.; average dose, 20 gr.

POTASSII CARBONAS—POTASSIUM CARBONATE—SALTS OF TARTAR

Derivation.—The solution resulting from the lixiviation of wood ashes is boiled to dryness and the resultant mass is the potash of commerce. This is purified to some extent by burning in ovens, forming pearlash, a mixture of the hydrate and carbonate. Water dissolves mainly the carbonate which is obtained by evaporation of the aqueous solution.

Properties.—A white, granular powder, odorless and having a strongly alkaline taste; very deliquescent. Soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, ¹/₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹/₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 gr.

POTASSII BICARBONAS—POTASSIUM BICARBONATE

Derivation.—Potassium bicarbonate is obtained by saturating a strong aqueous solution of potassium carbonate and carbonic anhydride.

Properties.—Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, odorless and having a saline and slightly alkaline taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in water. Almost soluble in alcohol.

Dose.—Same as potassium carbonate.

Action and Uses.—They stimulate the production of gastric juice when administered before meals with bitter tonics, or after meals to overcome excessive acidity of the stomach; used in rheumatism and gouty condition to make blood alkaline and overcome lactic acid. Useful as an antacid in nettle-rash and other itching skin diseases. Internally and externally as a mild wash, two to four drachms to the pint. A solution of the same strength is injected to overcome acidity of the uterus in leucorrhoea, etc. Calculus made up of ammonium, magnesium and phosphates occur in the bladder and urethra of highly fed rams and wethers. For this use potassium bicarbonate one-half to one drachm, well diluted, conjoined with laxative diet and belladonna to dilate urethra; it is less certain as a diuretic than the acetate or nitrate of potassium.

POTASSII HYDROXIDUM—POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE—CAUSTIC POTASH

Derivation.—A solution hydrate is evaporated, and this is fused and run into moulds.

Properties.—White, translucent pencils or fused masses, hard and brittle, showing a crystalline fracture; odorless or having a faint odor of lye and a very acid and caustic taste. Very deliquescent in air. Soluble in water and alcohol.

Not used in this form to any extent.

LIQUOR POTASSII HYDROXIDI—SOLUTION OF POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

A solution of potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) containing about five per cent of the hydroxide.

Derivation.—Boiling a solution of potassium carbonate with calcium hydrate leaves potassium hydrate in solution, while calcium carbonate is precipitated.

Properties.—A clean, clear colored liquid, odorless, having a very acrid and caustic taste.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, ¹/₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹/₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 10 m.

Action and Uses.—Externally potassium hydroxide and the solution of potassium hydroxide are irritant and caustic, when applied they abstract water from the parts. They dissolve fatty matters, antacids and if well diluted acts as a sedative. Internally not used to any extent, as milder salts of potassium are preferred, is antacid, alterative, febrifuge and diuretic. Large undiluted doses corrode and inflame the alimentary tract, cause colicy pains, great depression and sometimes perforations. Caustic potash is sometimes used to destroy warts and fungous growths. A dilute solution is used to cauterize poisoned wounds, but is dangerous, as it may penetrate too deeply and spread. This can be overcome by washing with vinegar.

POTASSII IODIDUM—POTASSIUM IODIDE

Derivation.—Potassium iodide may be prepared in the same manner as potassium bromide iodine, being used in place of bromine.

Properties.—It is a colorless, transparent, translucent, or opaque white, cubical crystals, or white granular powder, having a peculiar, faint, iodine-like odor and a pungent, saline, afterwards bitter, taste. Permanent in dry air and but slightly deliquescent in moist air. Soluble in 0.7 parts of water, and in about 12 parts of alcohol at 77° F., in 0.5 parts of boiling water, in 6 parts of boiling alcohol; also soluble in 2.5 parts of glycerine.

Actions.—Potassium iodide closely resembles iodine but is less powerful and devoid of local irritant action. Medical doses are antiseptic, desquamatic, deobstruent, expectorant, alterative and diuretic. It stimulates the lymphatic system. It is readily soluble, and is quickly absorbed in the tissues, where it undergoes decomposition; the iodine, when liberated, apparently combines with albuminoids and acts specially on the lymphatic glands and vessels, modifying nutrition, hastening metabolism and promoting absorption. It is doubtless in this way that it also unites with lead and mercury deposited in the tissues, renders them soluble, carries them into the circulation and causes their elimination.

It is quickly excreted by the mucus and skin surfaces, but chiefly by the kidneys.

Uses.—Potassium iodide is useful in promoting absorption of enlarged lymphatic glands, and its action should be assisted by the application of iodine or red iodide of mercury externally. Potassium iodide in small doses diminishes congestion and increases the fluidity and amount of secretions in acute laryngitis, acute and subacute bronchitis, and appears to possess an alterative action in improving the condition and nutrition of the bronchial mucous membranes. It is also of some value in asthma, pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis, unassociated with copious secretion. Chronic pleuritis, pericarditis and ascites are treated with potassium iodide, which assists absorption and occasionally exerts a diuretic effect. Tardy resolution of pneumonia consolidation is hastened by potassium iodide. Endocarditis with cardiac hypertrophy is said to be benefited by potassium iodide and digitalis.

Champignon, or scirrhous cord in horses, is sometimes cured by the sorbefacient powers of potassium iodide in full doses. Potassium iodide is of value in goiter of dogs, calves and sheep when tincture of iodine is used externally. “Roaring” and “thick wind” may be cured by the administration of potassium iodide. It is the best medicine known for actinomycosis. Potassium iodide has a clinical reputation for its power to aid absorption and resolution in inflammation or effusions of the brain or spinal cord, in paralysis of the body or limbs and inflammation of the membranes covering the brain.

Doses.—Horses, 2 to 4 dr.; cattle, 3 to 6 dr.; sheep and pigs, 15 to 30 gr.; dogs, 1 to 10 gr.

It should be given to the larger animals in doses of three drachms daily, until iodism appears, which shows itself by loss of appetite, an irritable, catarrhal condition of the mucous membranes of the nostrils, eyes, throat and digestive organs, a vesicular skin eruption, abstinence from water, diminished secretions of urine, temperature elevated and emaciation.

POTASSII NITRAS—POTASSIUM NITRATE—NITRATE OF POTASH—NITER—SALTPETRE

Derivation.—Nitrate of potash may be obtained by purifying crude niter, or by the interaction of sodium nitrate and potassium chloride.

Properties.—Colorless, transparent, six-sided, rhombic prisms, or a crystalline powder, odorless and having a cooling, saline and pungent taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in water; very sparingly soluble in alcohol.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 6 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 gr.

Actions.—Large doses irritate the stomach, bowels and kidneys; medical doses are alterative, febrifuge, diuretic and feebly laxative. Excreted by the bronchial glands, skin and kidneys, increasing secretions of these organs; is a cardiac depressant and mild refrigerant and diaphoretic.

Nitrate of potash is more frequently prescribed than any other potash salt in veterinary medicine, and is commonly considered one of the best febrifuges. Its only service in fevers is as a diuretic.

Uses.—In certain febrile conditions; in oedema of legs should be combined with digitalis and general tonics. For dropsical conditions the acetate and citrate are better.

Nitrate of potash is highly recommended in acute laminitis, two to four ounces once or twice daily is given by some veterinarians.

POTASSII CHLORAS—POTASSIUM CHLORATE

Derivation.—Pass chlorine into a mixture of potassium carbonate and calcium hydrate; dissolve the result in boiling water and recover the chlorate by crystallization.

Properties.—Colorless, lustrous, monoclinic prisms or plates, or white powder, odorless, having a cooling, saline taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in water. Insoluble in absolute alcohol, but slightly soluble in mixtures of alcohol and water. Explodes readily when rubbed with sugar, sulphur, charcoal, glycerine and many other substances.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 2 to 6 dr.; sheep and pigs, ¹/₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 gr.

Action.—Chlorate of potash is antiseptic, antacid, alterative, sialagogue, diuretic, febrifuge, and cardiac depressant; irritant to the gastro-intestinal tract and kidneys. Externally, antiseptic, mild stimulant and refrigerant. Is a protoplasmic poison, as is the nitrate; disintegrates the red blood corpuscles.

Uses.—Chlorate of potash is valuable as a wash or gargle, it stimulates the salivary and buccal glands, moistening the dry, parched mouth. It soothes and heals aphthous eruptions and ulcerations of the mouth and throat; while in catarrh, sore throat and bronchitis it thins the secretions and promotes expectoration. Like other salines, in febrile and inflammatory diseases, whether in horses or cattle, it is believed to lower pulse and temperature, clean the tongue, improve appetite, gently stimulate the bowels and render the evacuations more natural and less coated with mucus. It is frequently prescribed with good results in horses suffering from catarrhal conditions of the bowels. In epizootic catarrh, purpura, it is very beneficial prescribed with iron salts, as it increases the coagulability of the blood. It is also prescribed with other salines, bitter tonics or stimulants. Most animals of their own accord will take an ounce daily, dissolved in their drinking water or gruel. Pine tar is a soothing electuary for sore throat, it is conjoined with camphor, belladonna and treacle.

POTASSII BITARTRAS—POTASSIUM BITARTRATE—CREAM OF TARTAR

Derivation.—Obtained from crude tartar deposited on the sides of wine casks during fermentation of grape juice, by purification.

Properties.—Colorless or slightly opaque, rhombic crystals, or a white, somewhat gritty powder; odorless and having a pleasant, acidulous taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in water; very sparingly soluble in alcohol.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, ¹/₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, ¹/₂ to 1 dr.

Actions.—Potassium bitartrate is a non-irritating purgative in large doses. It is a hydragogue cathartic and has a strong affinity for water; abstracting it from the blood vessels in the bowels, holding the same in solution and thus flushing out the intestines.

Uses.—Is used for liver disease, chronic constipation, skin disease and as a refrigerant in febrile conditions. It should be given in solution and is useful in dropsies, more particularly of renal origin; also in catarrhal jaundice, and as a laxative for foals and calves. In cases where the urine of the horse is thick, stringy and high colored, it will cause it to regain its normal state. It may easily be administered in either food or drinking water, and its diuretic effect is enhanced when given with a large amount of water.

POTASSII PERMANGANAS—POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE—PERMANGANATE OF POTASH

Origin.—Potassium permanganate may be obtained by the interaction of potassium chlorate, potassium hydroxide and manganese dioxide.

Actions.—Potassium permanganate is a powerful oxidizing agent and readily yields up its oxygen in the form of ozone; hence it is an antiseptic and deodorizer. Full strength it is a mild caustic. Diluted it is astringent.

Uses.—Potassium permanganate is advantageously used to deodorize and disinfect foul smelling wounds, the nostrils in eczema, nasal gleet, the mouth in aphthae, throat when ulcerated, diphtheria, the uterus in metritis, retention of placenta and leucorrhoea. It is sometimes given internally in puerperal, erysipelas and septicaemia, also to cleanse hands or instruments. Potassium permanganate is used as a prophylactic in solutions of one in five thousand in poultry.

Potassium permanganate acts as an oxidizant much more freely upon some organic substances than upon others, by virtue of which fact it is a valuable antidote, notably in the treatment of morphine-poisoning and of snake-poisoning. In the former condition it acts only upon the alkaloid in the stomach, but should be given frequently during the continuance of the symptoms in order to destroy any morphine which may have been eliminated from the blood into the stomach. In snake-poisoning a concentrated solution of it should be injected freely and immediately into the part which has been bitten. Potassium permanganate is one of the best medicines with which to sterilize the hands before operating. A saturated solution is used for this purpose and the stains may be removed from the hands by washing them in saturated solution of oxalic acid, or in a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 15 gr. to 1 dr. in one pint of water; sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 gr. in half pint of water; dogs and cats, ¹/₂ to 11 gr. in capsule with kaolin. For poultry it should be diluted one part to five thousand parts of water.

As an antiseptic and deodorizer for disinfecting newly cut or old foul smelling wounds and for surgical purposes one drachm to half an ounce of the drug to one pint of water.

As an eye wash use about one in two thousand to one in one thousand.

For uterine injections use one in five thousand to one in two thousand.

As an antidote for opium, morphine or weed-poisoning it can be administered by the mouth or hypodermically. When given for these purposes the amount of potassium permanganate should equal that of the poison taken.