Veterinary Medicines, Their Actions, Uses and Dose

by George Franklyn Korinek

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.