POTASSIUM BITARTRATE 125 



bin, which is probably a mixture of hsematin and soluble 

 albumin. Haemoglobin and disintegrated corpuscles appear 

 in the urine as hsemoglobinuria. The blood is chocolate- 

 colored after death. The liver, spleen, kidneys and intes- 

 tines are softened and filled with disorganized blood. It 

 was formerly thought that potassium chlorate parted with 

 its oxygen in the blood, and it was (and is) prescribed in 

 many disorders as an oxidizing agent. It has been stated 

 that venous blood acquires an arterial hue under the influ- 

 ence of the salt. But potassium chlorate does not part with 

 its oxygen ; neither does it oxidize the blood, nor impart to 

 the venous blood an arterial color. 



Heart. — The action is much the same as nitre. 



Kidneys. — Action similar to nitre in therapeutic doses. 



Elimination. — Potassium chlorate is elimin'ated by all 

 channels ; mainly by the urine, but also by the sweat, saliva, 

 etc. Acting locally as a stimulant in the mouth, and then 

 afifecting the throat a second time by its elimination in the 

 saliva, potassium chlorate is frequently prescribed in diseases 

 of the mouth and pharynx as a topical stimulant. It is 

 given in electuary, solution, or ball internally. 



Summary. — Sialogogue, diuretic and heart depressant. 



Uses. — Stomatitis is treated by chlorate of potassium in 

 saturated solution applied on a swab. The salt is valuable 

 in the treatment of pharyngitis in electuary. A favorite 

 combination consists of fluid extract of belladonna, ^i-j 

 potassium chlorate, '^\\.\ powdered licorice root, § v., with 

 sufficient molasses to make an electuary. One ounce is to be 

 smeared on the teeth of a horse thrice daily. An half ounce 

 of a saturated solution of potassium chlorate, with a few 

 drops of laudanum, forms a useful injection for haemorrhoids 

 in dogs. Otherwise the salt may be prescribed for the same 

 purposes as nitre. 



PoTASSii BiTARTRAS. Potassium Bitartrate. KH^C^HOg. 



(U.S. P.) 

 Synonym. — Potassii tartras acida, B. P.; cream of tartar, 



