226 INORGANIC AGENTS 



Dose.—K. & C, 5i.-ii. (30.-60.); Sh. & Sw., 3ii.-iv. 

 (8.-15.);D.,gr.v.-3i.(.3-4). 



SoDH Bromidum. Sodium Bromide. Na Br. 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



Syncmym. — Bromure de sodium, Fr.; bromnatrium, G. 



Derivation, — Similar to potassium bromide. Liquor 

 sodse is used instead of liquor potassai. 



Properties. — Colorless, or white, cubical crystals, or a 

 white, granular powder; odorless, and having a saline, 

 slightly bitter taste. From air the salt attracts moisture 

 without deliquescing. Soluble in 1.2 parts of water, and in 

 13 parts of alcohol. 



Dose, — Same as potassium bromide. 



ACTION OF THE BROMIDES. 



External. — None. 



Internal, — In a large, single dose, the bromides cause in 

 horses muscular weakness, dulness and staggering gait. 

 The pulse is weakened and the respiration slowed. The 

 urine is increased in quantity and sexual desire diminished. 

 Bromism may be produced in man, or the lower animals, by 

 the continuous administration of the bromides. This condi- 

 tion is characterized by general weakness and unsteady gait, 

 mental dulness, indigestion, cutaneous anaesthesia, loss of 

 sexual power, and occasionally an acneform eruption. 

 Death has never been caused in man by the bromides. 



Nervous System. — The bromides are essentially depres- 

 sant to nerve tissue. Therapeutically, this depressing action 

 is seen particularly in relation to the motor centres of the 

 cerebral cortex, and in lessening reflex action. The whole 

 nervous system is depressed, but the motor tract in the 

 brain and the sensory nerves are the first to succumb to the 

 influence of the bromides. Intellection is clouded, and dul- 

 ness and mental apathy are observed in man after large 



