216 BROMIDES. 



BROMIDES. 



The Bromides are the bromine salts of the alkali metals. The principal salts in 

 use are those of sodium and potassium. The Bromide action is best obtained from the 

 sodium salt. 



Pharmacodynamics. 



Central Nervous System. The Bromides produce a depression of the intellectual 

 and motor areas of the cerebrum, the mnemonic functions, the medulla slightly, the 

 spinal reflexes on both the motor and sensory sides, and suspend the sexual instinct. 



Muscular System. Not affected. 



Respiration slowed under large doses ; centric action. 



Heart is not affected directly. 



Blood-pressure. Not affected. 



Alimentary tract is irritated by the high osmotic effect. 



Secretory Glands. Sweat-glands are depressed ; local effect. 



Metabolism. The Bromides produce a reduction of the phosphates in the urine; 

 they also tend to displace the chloride ion in the tissues. 



Temperature. Lessened through bodily inactivity. 



Absorption is very rapid from alimentary tract. 



Excretion. The Bromides appear early in the urine, but are very slowly elimi- 

 nated as a whole, traces being still found in the urine two months after the administra- 

 tion of a single dose. Excretion occurs in small amounts from the skin, lungs', and 

 mammary glands, bromism having been noted in the nursing infant. 



Local Action. Not determined. 



Tolerance. Slowly increasing doses necessary for maintaining therapeutic ef- 

 fects ; often, as rapid mental deterioration. 



Symptoms. 



Therapeutic Doses. Bromism from Continued Use. 



Mental dullness. Extensive, intractable acne. 



Lassitude. Loss of appetite. 



Physical apathy. Digestive disturbances. 



Lowered reflexes. Foul breath. 



Drowsiness. Heavy, lustreless eyes. 



Unrefreshing sleep. Uncertain gait. 



Post-hypnotic dullness. Lowered vital resistance. 



Very defective memory. 



Mental apathy. 



Therapeutics. 



The chief indication for the use of the Bromides is to allay undue spinal irrita- 

 tion of an acute form. 



The Bromides have been used extensively for the treatment of epilepsy; but as 

 the patients are never cured by the treatment, and as the continued use of the Bromides 

 entails an inevitable mental and physical deterioration, this method of treatment be- 

 comes very questionable. 



The Bromides ought never to be given to normal children. 



Dosage. 



Sodii Bromidum, I to 4 Gm. 



