n6 MATER i A MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



BROMUM. Br. 80. BROMINE. 

 A liquid non-metallic element. 



Source. Obtained from Bitter, and from some Saline 

 Springs. 



Characters. A dark brownish-red very volatile liquid, 

 with a strong disagreeable odour ; solubility, 1 in 30 of water. 



Impurity. Iodine ; detected by starch test. 



Not given internally. 



From Bromum are made : 



L Ammonii Bromidum. See d.mmonium. Dose, 5 to 

 30 gr. 



2. Potassii Bromidum. See Potassium. Dose, 5 to 

 30 gr. 



ACTION AND USES. 

 1. IMMEDIATE LOCAL ACTION. 



Externally bromine is a powerful irritant and escharotic. 

 Its local use is confined to the treatment of cancer of the 

 cervix uteri (1 in 5 parts of rectified spirit). The bromides 

 have no such irritant action unless in highly concentrated solu- 

 tion ; nor are they absorbed from the unbroken skin. 



Internally, the local action of bromine resembles that of 

 chlorine, the vapour being intensely irritant, and, indeed, 

 irrespirable. It is never used in this way. 



The bromides taken continuously for a time in full doses, 

 or applied in strong solution to the throat, are said to reduce 

 the sensibility of the fauces, so that the reflex movements of 

 the parts, such as swallowing, vomiting, cough, etc., are not 

 easily excited; and they may therefore be employed previous to 

 important examinations or operations in connection with the 

 larynx, or in excessive irritability of the parts. The bromides 

 have but little effect of an irritant kind on the stomach or 

 bowels, so that large doses (20 grains thrice a-day for years) 

 may be readily borne. The greatest care must always be taken, 

 however, to preserve the digestion and regularity of the bowels, 

 in cases where bromides are continuously taken. 



2. ACTION IX THE BLOOD. 



Bromide of potassium enters the blood unchanged, where 

 it is probably converted into the sodium salt by double decom- 

 position with the chloride of sodium. For a moment it may be 



