Part 11

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.

QUSSIA--BITTER WOOD

Qussia is obtained from chips or shavings from a tall tree 70 to 100 feet high.

HABITAT.--Jamaica and other West Indian Islands.

PROPERTIES.--Qussia has no odor, but an intensely bitter taste, dependent on a neutral crystalline principle, quassin. There is also a volatile oil, but no tannin.

PREPARATIONS

EXTRACTUM QUASSIAE--EXTRACT OF QUSSIA

Made by percolation with water, boiling and evaporation to pilular consistence.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 dr.; sheep and pigs, 15 to 30 gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 3 gr.

FLUIDEXTRACTUM QUASSIAE--FLUIDEXTRACT OF QUSSIA

Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol and water and evaporation.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 15 m. to 1 dr.

TINCTURE QUSSIAE--TINCTURE OF QUSSIA

Made by maceration and percolation of qussia, 200 parts; with alcohol and water to make 1000.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 2 dr.

ACTION AND USES.--Qussia is a bitter stomachic and tonic. It resembles gentian and calumba. It is prescribed for the several domestic animals in dyspepsia, loss of appetite and convalescence from debilitating disorders. Qussia is the most efficient vermicide in our possession for the destruction of Oxyuris curvula, horse; and O. vermicularis, dog, in the lower bowel. An infusion is employed for this purpose, made by soaking qussia chips in cold water (two drachms of the qussia to one pint of water) for half an hour. The rectum should be first thoroughly washed out with soap and water and one-half pint of this infusion is given in enema to dogs; two quarts to horses. The infusion is a narcotic poison for flies and other insects.

JALAPA--JALAP

The dried tuberous roots of Exogonium Purga Bentham, yielding not less than eight per cent of total resin, but not more than one and a half per cent of the resin soluble in ether.

HABITAT.--Southern United States and Mexico.

PROPERTIES.--The root is dark brown, with numerous concentric circles composed of small resin cells; fracture resinous, lustrous, not fibrous; odor slight, but peculiar, smoky and sweetish; taste sweetish and acrid.

DOSE.--Pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 1 to 2 dr.; cats, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.

RESINA JALAPA--RESIN OF JALAP

Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, partial distillation; precipitation with water; washing and drying.

PROPERTIES.--Yellowish-brown powder, having a slight, peculiar odor, and a somewhat acrid taste. Permanent in air. Soluble in alcohol, ether, fixed and volatile oils.

DOSE.--Pigs, 30 gr. to 1 dr.; dogs, 15 to 30 gr.; cats, 5 to 15 gr.

ACTION AND USES.--Jalap is a hydragogue cathartic, a vermifuge and cholagogue. By adding calomel to jalap its power is increased; jalap is more active than senna, but is less powerful and irritating than gamboge or podophyllum. Jalap may be given to expel round and thread worms; in torpidity of the liver, and in chronic constipation in dogs.

PREPARATIONS

PULVIS JALAPA COMPOSITUS--COMPOUND POWDER OF JALAP

Composed of jalap, 35 parts; potassium bitartrate, to make 100.

DOSE.--Dogs, 15 to 30 gr.

RHAMNUS PURSHIANA--CASCARA SAGRADA--CALIFORNIA BUCKTHORN--CHITTEM BARK

The bark of Rhamnus Persiana de Candolle (nat. ord. Rhamnaceae). Collected at least one year before being used.

HABITAT.--United States from Northern Idaho west to the Pacific Ocean.

PROPERTIES.--Externally the bark is reddish-brown. Internally yellowish to light brownish, becoming dark with age. Odor distinct; taste bitter and slightly acrid.

CONSTITUENTS.--Three resins; a neutral body; a volatile oil; malic and tannic acids.

DOSE.--Dogs, 5 to 30 gr.; cats, 1 to 5 gr.

PREPARATIONS

FLUIDEXTRACTUM RHAMNI PURSHIANAE--FLUIDEXTRACT OF RHAMNUS PURSHIANA

Made by maceration and percolation with diluted alcohol, and evaporation.

DOSE.--Dogs, 5 to 30 m.; cats, 1 to 5 m.

FLUIDEXTRACTUM RHAMNI PURSHIANA AROMATICUM--AROMATIC FLUIDEXTRACT OF CASCARA SAGRADA

DOSE.--Dogs, 5 to 30 m.; cats, 1 to 5 m.

ACTION AND USES.--Used as a non-irritant tonic laxative or cathartic; small doses are stomachic; to overcome chronic constipation, give small repeated doses; very useful in canine practice. The aromatic fluidextract is the best preparation, and is occasionally given to dogs and cats with castor oil.

RHEUM--RHUBARB

The dried roots of Rheum, of which there are several species.

HABITAT.--China and Thibet.

PROPERTIES.--When powdered it is of a bright orange-yellow, odor characteristic; taste bitter, astringent; gritty when chewed.

DOSE.--As a stomachic--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 ozs.; sheep, 1 dr.; dogs and cats, 5 to 10 gr.

As a mild purgative--Foals and calves, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs and cats, ¹⁄₂ to 2 dr.; poultry, 5 to 10 gr., in pill.

PREPARATIONS

FLUIDEXTRACTUM RHEI--FLUIDEXTRACT OF RHUBARB

Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol and water, and evaporated.

DOSE.--Same as that of rhubarb.

PULVIS RHEI COMPOSITUS--COMPOUND POWDER OF RHUBARB--GREGORY’S POWDER

Composed of rhubarb, 25 parts; magnesia, 65 parts; ginger, to make 100.

DOSE.--Foals and calves, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 3 dr.

TINCTURE RHEI AROMATICA--AROMATIC TINCTURE OF RHUBARB

Composed of rhubarb, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.

DOSE.--Calves, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; foals, 2 to 6 dr.; sheep, 4 dr. to 1 oz.; lambs, ¹⁄₂ to 2 dr.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 3 dr.

ACTION AND USES.--Rhubarb is a stomachic, tonic, astringent, mildly cathartic and cholagogue. Rhubarb is useful where there is a lack of tone to the bowels; used in diarrhoea in small doses, for its stimulating tonic action; as a laxative in large doses or may be combined with other laxatives, to prevent griping in milk-fed animals, or may be combined with bismuth, opium or sulphuric acid, to stop diarrhoea; as a laxative or purgative. The fluidextract or powdered root may be combined with calomel, jalap, etc.

SALICINUM--SALICIN

A neutral principle (glucoside) obtained from several species of the willow and poplar tree.

HABITAT.--Europe, but cultivated in North America.

DERIVATION.--Obtained from a decoction of willow bark. Salicin crystallizes on evaporation, after removal of tannin by agitation with lead oxide. It is purified by repeated solution and crystallization.

PROPERTIES.--A white, silky, shining crystalline needle, or colorless crystalline powder; odorless, and having a very bitter taste. Permanent in air. Soluble in 28 parts of water and 30 parts of alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; sheep, 1 to 4 dr.; pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 30 gr.

ACTIONS.--Bitter tonic, antipyretic, antiferment and antiseptic, somewhat antiperiodic resembling quinine in its actions, but not as powerful.

USES.--Used in febrile conditions about the same as quinine, its chief use is in acute rheumatism, for which it is a very good remedy; as a diaphoretic is used in large doses.

SINAPIS ALBA--WHITE MUSTARD

DERIVATION.--The dried ripe seeds of Sinapis alba Linne.

HABITAT.--Southern Europe and Asia; cultivated in temperate climates.

DESCRIPTION.--Globular, with a circular hilum; shell yellowish, finely pitted, hard; embryo oily, with a curved radicle and two cotyledons, one folded over the other; free from starch; inodorous; taste pungent and acrid.

DOSE.--Horses, 2 to 4 dr.; cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, 10 to 15 gr.

SINAPIS NIGRA--BLACK MUSTARD

DERIVATION.--The dried ripe seeds of Sinapis Nigra Linne.

HABITAT.--Same as White Mustard.

DESCRIPTION.--Globular, with a circular hilum; shell blackish-brown, or grayish-brown, finely pitted, hard; embryo oily, with curved radicle and two cotyledons, one folded over the other; free from starch; inodorous when dry, but when triturated with water, of a pungent, penetrating, irritating odor; taste pungent and acrid.

CONSTITUENTS.--In the presence of water the latter converts the former into the acrid, volatile, official oil of mustard.

DOSE.--Same as white mustard. Commercial form of mustard is a mixture of black and white mustard, and constitutes Sinapis.

PREPARATIONS

OLEUM SINAPIS VOLATILE--VOLATILE OIL OF MUSTARD

DERIVATION.--A volatile oil obtained from black mustard by maceration with water and subsequent distillation.

PROPERTIES.--A colorless or pale yellow, and strongly refractive liquid, having a very pungent and acrid odor and taste. Freely soluble in alcohol, ether or carbon disulphide, the solution being neutral to litmus paper. Specific gravity 1.013 to 1.020.

ACTIONS.--Is irritant or counter-irritant, rubefacient, vesicant or suppurant, according to the manner in which it is used; it acts much quicker than cantharides, but its action is not so prolonged; the paste made with water and rubbed into the skin of horses, produces its effects within twenty minutes; in two to six hours vesication occurs, pustules may occur where the paste is used very strong or closely repeated, or too much has been used.

The volatile oil of mustard is a very powerful vesicant and acts very quickly.

USES.--It is used as a counter-irritant in laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and pleurisy, or wherever a counter-irritant is indicated; applied in the early congested stages it lessens the pain and relieves difficult breathing, besides reflexly limiting the amount of blood in the parts; it thus limits or decreases the inflammatory action; also useful in the exudative stages of these diseases; to promote the absorption of the exudate and thus hasten resolution, or where these diseases remain dormant; also arouse a depressed nervous system and reflexly stimulates the heart; can be used in spinal diseases or in congestion of the kidneys.

It acts best when applied and left on 20 or 30 minutes, then washed off and repeat in an hour or two; also used in acute indigestion, applied to the abdomen; also in colic, enteritis and peritonitis; in phlebitis mustard can be used, but a cantharides blister is better. In making a mustard plaster, take the pure powdered mustard and gradually pour in warm water (not hot); can also be made with cold water or vinegar; rub in with moderate friction.

As an emetic for dogs one to two teaspoonfuls in one or two ounces of warm water is very effective.

SODIUM BICARBONATE--BICARBONATE OF SODA

ORIGIN.--Bicarbonate of soda may be obtained by exposing crystals of sodium carbonate to carbonic anhydride, or by the interaction of sodium chloride and ammonium bicarbonate.

PROPERTIES.--Bicarbonate of soda is a white, opaque powder, odorless and having a cooling, mildly alkaline taste. It is permanent in dry, but slowly decomposes in moist air. Soluble in twelve parts of water at 15° C. (59° F.); above this temperature the solution gradually loses carbon dioxide, and at boiling heat the salt is entirely converted into normal carbonate, insoluble in alcohol.

ACTIONS.--Antacid, peristaltic stimulant, carminative, alterative and mildly anodyne externally. It also increases fluidity of and secretion of gastric juice.

USES.--In disorders of the digestive organ administered half hour before meals, to increase the flow of gastric juice, or as an antacid after meals. Young calves when fed on stale skim milk, suffering from dyspepsia, are benefited by one to two drams of bicarbonate of soda, dissolved in each meal of milk. Bicarbonate of soda has become a very popular medicine in the treatment of azoturia in about four ounce doses every four hours. Bicarbonate of soda is used to lessen the irritation of itching skin disorders, as nettle-rash and urticaria, one ounce to a quart of water. Also used as an injection for leucorrhoea. It is an antidote for acid poisoning.

DOSES.--Horses, 2 dr. to 4 oz.; cattle, 2 dr. to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 10 to 30 gr.

SODII CHLORIDUM--SODIUM CHLORIDE--COMMON OR TABLE SALT

ORIGIN.--Mined in a native state and obtained by evaporation of brine, spring or sea water.

PROPERTIES.--It is officially described as in “colorless, transparent, cubical crystals, or a white, crystalline powder, odorless and heavy, a purely saline taste.” Permanent in dry air. Soluble in two and eight-tenths parts of water at 25° C. (77° F.), and in two and a half parts of boiling water; almost insoluble in alcohol.

ACTIONS.--Sodium chloride in small doses is a condiment, restorative, tonic, stomachic, antiferment, alterative, laxative, anthelmintic antiseptic emetic for dogs and used as an injection for pin worms.