Incompatible with acids and alkalies.
Dose.—Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1⁄2 to 1 oz.; dogs, 2 to 6 drs.
Actions.—Diaphoretic, antipyretic, mild stimulant, mild diuretic, mild expectorant and stomachic.
Uses.—Its uses are recommended in febrile and inflammatory attacks, especially in influenza, distemper, etc., combined with other medicines, improves the appetite; can be used externally as a refrigerant over swollen and inflamed tendons.
AMMONII CARBONAS—AMMONIUM CARBONATE
Derivation.—A mixture of ammonium chloride or sulphate, and calcium carbonate, is sublimed and resublimed. Ammonium carbonate, so-called, is a mixture of ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate.
Properties.—White translucent masses, having a strongly ammoniacal odor, and a sharp saline taste. On exposure to air it loses both ammonia and carbonic dioxide, soluble one part in four parts of water.
Doses.—Horses and cattle, 1 to 3 drs.; sheep and pigs, 1⁄4 to 1 dr.; dogs, 2 to 8 grs. Larger doses are recommended when a antispasmodic or carminative is desired the dose for horses and cattle can be increased to an ounce, but only two doses should be administered, well diluted in water or in ball or capsule.
Actions.—Ammonium carbonate is decomposed by acid in the stomach and escapes in the urine. It stimulates gastric secretion, vascularity and motion, and exciting intestinal peristalsis. It is, therefore, a stomachic and carminative. It is also an antacid, and, in large doses, an emetic for dogs. It is given in capsules or in solution in cold water, to avoid irritating fumes; also with syrup or gruel. It is often prescribed with other stimulants and antispasmodics, as alcohol, camphor, capsicum and asafoetida. The action of ammonium carbonate is almost identical with that of ammonia water in stimulating the heart and respiration, but it has more power in augmenting the bronchial secretions.
Uses.—It is given to all animals in indigestion; conjoins the actions of an antacid and diffusible stimulant; in small doses promotes secretion of gastric juice, and in larger, relieves flatulence and spasm. In diseases of the air passages it is used as an expectorant; is contra-indicated in purpura haemorrhagica, as it lowers the oxygen carrying power of red blood corpuscles, and dissolves fibrin. As a stimulant it can be combined with alcohol and sulphuric ether. Ammonia is recommended where a clot, thrombi or embolism is supposed to exist on account of its defibrinating power. Ammonium carbonate is used extensively in the treatment of spasmodic and flatulent, colic and acute indigestion conjoined with either asafoetida, capsicum, camphor, nux vomica and alcohol.