Action and Uses: Diuretic, irritant to kidneys and intestines; has largely gone out of use.
Dosage: 0.5 Gm. or 8 grains (U.S.P.).
Charta Potassii Nitratis (Chart. Pot. Nit.), Potassium Nitrate Paper, N.F.—Paper impregnated with potassium nitrate.
Uses: The smoke is inhaled in asthma, but is not very effective.
*Potassii Permanganas (Pot. Permang.), Potassium Permanganate, U.S.P.—KMnO4.
Slender, dark purple odorless crystals, with a taste (in solution) at first sweet, afterward disagreeable and astringent. Soluble in water (1:13.5), forming violet-red to rose-colored solutions which stain the fingers and clothes. Decomposed by alcohol and glycerin. Should not be brought into contact with organic or other readily oxidizable substances.
Action and Uses: Effective deodorant, disinfectant and astringent. Internally as emmenagogue, probably useless.
Dosage: 0.06 Gm. or 1 grain (U.S.P.), usually in pills. For application to the skin, 1:500 solution.
Potassii Sulphas (Pot. Sulph.), Potassium Sulphate, N.F.—K2SO4.
Colorless crystals or white powder, odorless and having a saline, somewhat bitter taste. Freely soluble in water (1:10) and insoluble in alcohol.