Part 46

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.