MEDICINES WHICH ACT UPON THE BLOOD 449 



probably, it may be added, more abused than any other by grooms and 

 carters. Its action is febrifuge, and it is referred to here on that account; 

 but its chief action being in connection with the kidneys, it will be more 

 fully considered in dealing with drugs acting upon those organs. Potash 

 salts, more particularly the carbonate and bicarbonate, enter the blood rapidly 

 and increase its alkalinity. The red corpuscles already contain potash, and 

 appear to possess a great affinity for it, the number of red blood corpuscles 

 being increased rapidly when potash and iron are given together. By 

 increasing the amount of water passed by way of the kidneys, they tend 

 to promote absorption of fluids effused into the tissues and cavities of the 

 body. The action of a combination of potash and iron in this respect is well 

 known to stablemen and others, who use it to disperse those temporary 

 swellings of the legs so commonly resulting from rest or overwork. 



Chlorate of potash is a valuable drug in some cases on account of its 

 antiseptic properties. In soreness of the throat and the mouth it is pre- 

 scribed as a gargle or mouth- wash, or it may be applied as a powder to 

 abraded surfaces. 



Potassium chloride is a powerful caustic employed for the destruction 

 of living tissues in the form of morbid growths such as warts, proud flesh, 

 and other abnormal excrescences, callous sinuses, and fistulous surfaces. 

 By it " proud flesh " is removed, as well as the callous sinuses of fistulous 

 wounds, such as occur in poll evil, quittor, &c. Diluted freely with water,, 

 it has powerful antiseptic and disinfectant properties, being largely used 

 under the name of Burnett's fluid. 



Permanganate of potash is a valuable salt, and largely used as an anti- 

 septic, deodorizer, and disinfectant; and being a perfectly harmless sub- 

 stance, is employed for injections into the mucous cavities of the body, as 

 well as for mouth-w T ashes and gargles. 



It is considered valuable in cases after difficult parturition, for which it 

 is used in the proportion of about ten grains to each pint of warm water 

 injected into the uterus. 



Soda. The preparations used in veterinary treatment are the car- 

 bonate and bicarbonate, sulphate, hyposulphite, biborate (borax), and 

 chloride (common salt). In the last form it is a constant constituent of 

 the blood and of all the tissues of the body; horses, like man, appear to 

 be benefited by the introduction of this salt of soda into their food. Most 

 horses like it, and readily lick it from salt rolls or salt rock. Soda salts do 

 not enter the blood so readily as those of potash, and they are most fre- 

 quently prescribed for neutralizing acidity in cases of acute indigestion and 

 gastric disturbances, and as a saline aperient. Sulphate of soda is an excel- 

 lent aperient, and has been in use for many years under the name of 



VOL. II. 63 



