CLASSIFIED IN THREE GROUPS 175 



in the muscles ; sodium salts in the nutrient fluids. 

 Ringer teaches that potash salts have a high diffusive power, 

 rapidly enter the blood, increase its alkalinity, promote 

 oxidation and tissue metamorphosis, are solvents of albu- 

 minoids, and in one or another of these ways help to abate 

 febrile and inflammatory attacks. They are alteratives, and 

 antidotes to poisoning by barium salts. They are quickly 

 excreted, mainly by the kidneys ; increase chiefly the 

 watery parts of the urine, neutralise its acidity, and often 

 exert soothing effects on the urino-genital mucous surfaces. 

 In febrile complaints they are eliminated in amounts three 

 or four times larger than in health, and in larger proportion 

 than the soda salts, which are excreted more largely during 

 convalescence. 



Recollection of the uses of the several potassium salts is 

 facilitated by dividing them into three groups. First : Salts 

 which are corrosive, antacid, antilithic, and alterative such 

 as the hydrate and carbonates. The salts of the weaker 

 vegetable acids tartrates and citrates in their passage 

 through the body are decomposed into carbonates, rendering 

 the urine alkaline. Second : Salts which are cathartic, 

 diuretic, alterative, febrifuge, and refrigerant on account of 

 their salt action such as the sulphate, acetate, tartrate, 

 nitrate, chlorate, and permanganate. Third : Salts which 

 exhibit prominently the actions of their acid ion or salt 

 radical constituent such as potassium sulphide, iodide, 

 bromide, bichromate, and cyanide. 



POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE. Potassa Caustica. Hydrate of 



Potash. Caustic Potash. KOH. 

 POTASSIUM HYDRATE SOLUTION. Liquor Potassse. Caustic 



Potash Solution. 



When impure potassium carbonate is boiled with calcium 

 hydrate, calcium carbonate (CaC0 3 ) is precipitated, and 

 potassium hydrate (KOH) remains in solution, twenty-seven 

 grains being present in the fluid ounce of the liquor potassae. 

 This is a dense, oily-like fluid, of specific gravity T058, 

 colourless and odourless, with an intensely acrid, alkaline, 

 soapy taste, and an alkaline reaction. Boiled with oils and 



