2^ INORGANIC AGENTS 



Uses Internal. — Potassium iodide is useful in causing ab- 

 sorption of enlarged, lymphatic glands, and its action should 

 be assisted by the application of iodine or red mercuric 

 iodide externally. Potassium iodide, in small doses, dimin- 

 ishes congestion and increases the fluidity and amount of 

 secretion in acute laryngitis, acute and subacute bronchitis, 

 and appears to possess an alterative action in improving the 

 condition and nutrition of the bronchial mucous membranes. 

 It resembles ammonium chloride in the latter respect. It is 

 also of value in chronic bronchitis, unassociated with copious 

 secretion. Chronic pleuritis, pericarditis, and ascites are 

 treated with potassium iodide, which assists absorption, and 

 occasionally exerts a diuretic effect. Tardy resolution of 

 pneumonic consolidation is hastened by potassium iodide. 

 Endocarditis with cardiac hypertrophy is said to be bene- 

 fited by potassium iodide and digitalis. 



Champignon, or scirrhus cord of horses, is sometimes 

 cured by the sorbefacient powers of potassium iodide in full 

 doses. " Roaring, or thick wind," due to a thickened con- 

 dition of the laryngeal mucous membrane, or, more com- 

 monly, to pressure of enlarged lymphatic glands upon the 

 recurrent laryngeal nerve, — when of recent origin, — may be 

 cured by the administration of potassium iodide. Potassium 

 iodide is the best remedy known for actinomycosis. It 

 should be given to the larger animals in doses of 3 drachms 

 daily, or in the same dose as LugoVs Solution. Potassium 

 iodide is one of the many remedies prescribed in chronic 

 rheumatism. 



Summary. — Iodine and potassium iodide resemble one 

 another in many respects. Iodine is a local irritant, potas- 

 sium iodide is not. The known physiological action of 

 potassium iodide and iodine does not explain their medi- 

 cinal uses. In combating certain diseases, in an inexpli- 

 cable manner, they are known as alteratives. In man, iodine 

 is superior to potassium iodide in the treatmeut of scrofula. 

 In the horse, iodine is considered of more value in the 

 treatment of diabetes insipidus ; while in both man and 



