52 VETERINAEY MATERIA MEDICA. 



or aqueous solution. Dose for dog : gr. ss-ij. This 

 combines the actions of the two, iron and quinine, 

 and is a very valuable tonic. 



AGENTS PROMOTING WASTE. 

 Potassium. 



Potassium is one of the metallic elements. Sym- 

 bol, K; atomic weight, 39; quantivalence, 1. It has 

 great affinity for oxygen, and decomposes water with 

 considerable ■ violence, replacing one or both of its 

 hydrogen atoms. It is obtained as "carnallite," a 

 chloride of potassium and magnesium, in or near 

 rock-salt beds; also from wood ashes. 



Chief Preparations. — Potassa, caustic potash, 

 hydrated {)rotoxide of potash. This is obtained by 

 dissolving the ashes of plants in water (when cal- 

 cined these lose their organic impurities) ; this then 

 is pearl ash or impure potassium carbonate. This so- 

 lution is boiled with calcium hydrate, forming cal- 

 cium carbonate as a precipitate, and leaving potas- 

 sium hydrate in solution. 



Liquor Potassce, solution of potassa (Potassa 

 1 i., dissolved in distilled water Oi.). Potassa and 

 its solution are powerful caustics, and are rarely used 

 internally. 



Potassii Acetas, potassium, acetate, a white, solu- 

 ble, deliquescent salt, obtained by neutralizing potas- 

 sium carbonate with acetic acid. Dose: H., §ss.-i.; 

 D., gr. v.-xv. 



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