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.