LIQUOR PLUMBI SUB-ACETATIS DILUTUS. L.
As the former preparation is very rarely employed in its concentrated form, the College has directed its dilution, and added a portion of spirit, with a view to accelerate its evaporation, and thus to produce a refrigerating effect; but for such a purpose the quantity of spirit is far too small, and should therefore be increased by extemporaneous addition.
LIQUOR POTASSÆ. L. Aqua Potassæ. E.
Aqua Kali Caustica. D.
Aqua kali puri. P.L. 1787. Lixivium Saponarium, 1745.
Qualities. A limpid, dense, colourless solution; a pint should weigh ℥xvj; when rubbed between the fingers it feels soapy, in consequence of a partial solution of the cuticle. The solution, as usually prepared, contains small portions of muriate and sulphate of potass, silica and lime; but these incidental impurities do not invalidate its virtues; it ought not to effervesce with acids. Med. Uses. Antacid, diuretic, alterative, and lithonthryptic; and externally, when diluted, it acts as a stimulating lotion,[[557]] and if concentrated, as a caustic; see Potassa Fusa. The operation of this and other alkaline remedies, have at different periods been celebrated as powerful lithonthriptics, and whilst experience has in some cases confirmed the value of the practice, it has in others proved no less decidedly its mischievous agency; these contradictory results are at length capable of explanation, for Chemistry has drawn aside the veil that has so long obscured the history, origin, and cure of calculous diseases, and has demonstrated that these extraneous bodies vary in composition, and are consequently very differently affected by the same chemical solvents; but this subject has already been so fully discussed in the first part of this work, under the chapter on “Antilithics and Lithonthryptics,” that it is unnecessary to dwell upon it in this place.
It has also been found highly useful in the cure of several species of cutaneous affections; as in Lepra, Psoriasis, &c. which diseases generally appear to have some connection with a morbid state of the digestive functions; see Form: 149. Dose of the solution of potass, ♏︎x to fʒss, in veal broth[[558]] or table beer; this latter vehicle disguises its nauseous flavour completely. In many cases, the infusion of some bitter tonic will be the most eligible liquor in which it can be exhibited, especially where our object is to promote its absorption: the theory of such a combination has been already explained in the first part of this work, p. 153. Officinal Prep. Potassa fusa, L.E.D. Potassa cum calce, L.E.D. Liquor Sulphureti Kali, D. Antimonii Sulphuretum Præcipitatum, L.E.
LIQUOR POTASSÆ SUB-CARBONATIS. L.
Aqua Sub-carbonatis Kali. D.
Aqua Kali præparati, P.L. 1787.