CEREBRAL DEPRESSANTS. 143 



subnormal body-temperature, fetid breath, sluggish 

 reflexes, and a lack of coordination of movement. 

 These last symptoms, taken collectively, are termed 

 "bromism," and are probably due to the sedative ac- 

 tion of the bromides upon the sympathetic system, 

 causing anaemia of the brain, spinal cord, sexual or- 

 gans, and skin. Toxic doses destroy life by asphyxia. 



Differences in Action of the Bromides.— 

 Potassium Bromide (containing sixty-six per cent, 

 of bromine) is the most toxic to the heart and mus- 

 cular apparatus, and the least hypnotic. 



Sodium Bromide (containing seventy-eight per 

 cent, of bromine) is the least toxic, but the most 

 hypnotic. It acts strongly upon the circulation, but 

 is more readily borne by the stomach than the others. 



Ammonium Bromide^ very much resembling the 

 potassium salt, has less influence upon the heart and 

 muscular apparatus, but partakes of the stimulating 

 properties of its base. 



Lithium Bromide (containing ninety-two per cent, 

 of bromine) is quite similar to the sodium salt, and is 

 a very powerful hypnotic. 



Calcium Bromide is not very active except as a 

 hypnotic. 



Incompatihles and Antagonists. — Incompatibles 

 are acids, metallic salts, and- nitrous ether. Vaso- 

 motor stimulants — as digitalis, ergot, and belladonna 

 — antagonize many effects of the bromides, but mor- 

 phine is the most complete antagonist. 



Contra-Indications for the Use of the Bromides. 

 — Ansemic conditions and weak or fatty heart. 



