USES OF POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE 191 



Uses Internal. — Potassium permanganate is occasionally 

 used in human medicine in dyspepsia and flatulence, for its 

 antiseptic action, and in obesity. It is supposed to resem- 

 ble iron in its effects, and has been used in ammenorrhcea 

 associated with anaemia. Moor, of New York, has shown 

 that potassium permanganate is the best chemical antidote 

 for morphine or opium, chemically destroying them by oxi- 

 dation ; 10 to 15 grains may be given to dogs in 8 ounces of 

 water immediately after poisoning. Horses may be given 2 

 drachms of permanganate of potash in 5 pints of water. In 

 case morphine has been swallowed, solutions of potassium 

 permanganate should be accidulated with vinegar, or diluted 

 sulphuric acid, in order to form soluble compounds in the 

 digestive tract. After morphine or opium have been ab- 

 sorbed into the blood, it is said that potassium permanganate 

 is also antidotal when injected subcntaneously. It is difficult 

 to see, theoretically, how this can be the case, and practically 

 has been proven not to be so. 



Uses External. — Potassium permanganate is a valuable 

 antiseptic and deodorizer in solutions, varying in strength 

 from one-tenth of 1 per cent, to A per cent., and is used in the 

 treatment of sores, wounds, ulcers, abscess, caries, gangrene, 

 fetid ozoena, otorrhoea, and leucorrhoea. In the stronger 

 solution it is stimulant, as well as antiseptic. It is a useful 

 agent in stomatitis and sore throat, when applied locally by 

 means of a swab. The powder is employed as a caustic 

 upon ulcers. Potassium permanganate is one of the 

 best agents with which to sterilize the hands before operat- 

 ing. A 1 to 2 per cent, solution is to be recommended for 

 this purpose, and the stains may be removed from the hands 

 by washing them in a saturated solution of oxalic acid, or in 

 a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid. 



Potassium permanganate is a test for impure water in 

 changing color in the presence of organic matter. Two 

 ounces of a 1 per cent, solution will clarify and deodorize 

 100 gallons of stale and putrescent rain water. 



