320 POTASSIUM IODIDE 



deficiency. The iodide stimulates the gland to normal 

 activity and so removes the hypertrophy. Trasbot, from 

 fourteen years' study of the action of potassium iodide, was 

 satisfied that in bronchitis, pneumonia, and pulmonary 

 congestion, especially in horses, a few doses diminish the 

 frequency and force of the pulse, the difficulty and quick- 

 ness of breathing, and the abnormal temperature. These 

 benefits are ensured, and congestion and dryness of the 

 bronchial membrane relieved, by conjoining the iodide with 

 ammonium acetate solution. Like digitalis, potassium 

 iodide is serviceable in troublesome cough and in chronic 

 cardiac cases. These latter effects probably depend mainly 

 upon its action as a potassium salt. In roaring, Robertson 

 prescribed potassium iodide and arsenic. Atheroma and 

 aneurism, in man, are often benefited by potassium iodide, 

 but this is due to the action of iodides in cases of syphilis, 

 the common cause of these two conditions. Thomassen and 

 Nocard, after extensive experience, relied implicitly on the 

 iodide in aetinomycosis, especially in those hitherto un- 

 satisfactory cases affecting the tongue of cattle. Ninety 

 grains in about a pint of water are given daily for eight or 

 nine days ; within that period swelling and pain abate, the 

 animal is able to eat, and the cure is ' always successful,' 

 usually within a month. Similar treatment, though less 

 certain, has proved beneficial in discomycosis of the testicular 

 cord, withers, and poll, and in cases of chronic abscess of the 

 shoulder. Dieckerhoff recommended the intratracheal in- 

 jection of dilute iodine solutions in equine purpura hsemorr- 

 hagica, and other German practitioners have approved of 

 the treatment. The solution used consists of five parts 

 potassium iodide, one part iodine, and 100 parts water. 

 Five drachms of the solution are injected into the trachea 

 with a hypodermic syringe. It constitutes the chief 

 agent in Schmidt's treatment of parturient toxaemia in 

 cows. Grains 110 to 160 of the iodide are dissolved in 35 

 ounces of boiling water ; and a fourth part of the solution, 

 cooled to blood heat, is injected into each teat. Asthma, 

 rheumatism, and eczema are frequently benefited by a 

 course of the iodide. In chronic poisoning with lead and 

 mercury it removes the metal from the tissues and from the 



