CHLORALUM 223 



composed of alum, j., water 3^J-> an( ^ gty cerm ' S v J-> * 8 

 used for chapped teats and eczema. Alumen exsiccatum, 

 the dried alum of the B.P. is potash alum deprived of its 

 water of crystallisation by heat. It is a white powder, 

 forming spongy opaque masses on exposure to moisture. 

 Slowly soluble in water, it should contain 45 to 46 per cent. 

 less water than alum. It is a useful caustic and astringent 

 for exuberant granulations, warts, and superficial sores. An 

 albuminate, made by thoroughly mixing an ounce of dried 

 alum with the whites of six eggs, is employed as an adhesive 

 in setting fractures, and as a styptic for open joints. 



DOSES, etc. Astringent for horses and cattle, 3ij- to 3Jv. ; 

 sheep and pigs, grs. xx. to 3ij- '> dogs, grs. x. to xxx., given 

 in bolus or in solution. Alum is incompatible with alkalies, 

 and their carbonates, lime salts, phosphates, salts of lead and 

 mercury, and tannin-containing bodies. 



Kaolin, a native aluminium silicate, is an excellent 

 desiccant, mild astringent and protective, much used for 

 chafed shoulders, harness-galls, and simple abrasions. 

 Aluminium sulphate is occasionally used as a caustic, anti- 

 septic, and astringent. 



CHLORALUM. SOLUTION OF ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE. 



When aluminium sulphate and calcium chloride are dis- 

 solved together, double decomposition ensues, and there 

 remains in solution an impure hydrated aluminium chloride 

 a colourless, oily fluid, with a sweet astringent taste, sold 

 as chloralum. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Like many metallic chlorides, chlor- 

 alum is corrosive, astringent, and antiseptic. It has been 

 recommended in influenza in horses, in dysentery in cattle, 

 and in distemper in dogs. Drachm doses suffice for horses 

 or cattle, H\v. to TT[x. for dogs. It may be administered 

 either in bolus made with meal, or dissolved in water or gruel. 

 Externally it may be applied to the purposes for which 

 alum or zinc sulphate is serviceable. As a disinfectant it 

 has been more used on the -Continent than in this country. 

 As a deodoriser it is more effectual than alum, but less 

 effectual than tar oils, sodium sulphite, or bleaching powder. 



