142 VETEKINART MATEEIA MBDICA. 



taining ten per cent, of absolute HBr acid, and used 

 as a substitute for the bromides. Dose: H. and C, 

 fl. Iss.-ij.; D., m xx.-fl. 3ij. 



Physiological Action of Bromine. — It is an 

 active and painful escharotic, a deodorant and anti- 

 septic, setting free ozone, while its vapor is a powerful 

 irritant to the eyes and respiratory mucous mem- 

 branes, causing cough, sneezing, and dyspnoea. In- 

 ternally-^it is an active, corrosive poison, causing 

 violent gastritis, depression, and coUapse. 



Physiological Action of the Bromides. — The 

 bromides all have a very salty taste, are very diffusi- 

 ble, and are very slowly eliminated. They become 

 decomposed in the blood, but are reformed at the 

 points of elimination — the fauces, intestines, skin, 

 and kidneys — where they sometimes cause much ir- 

 ritation, and if continued for some time indigestion 

 and even gastric catarrh may result. The bromides 

 are depressants of the cerebral and spinal functions; 

 they are alterative, antispasmodic, and hypnotic, the 

 potassium salt particularly in toxic doses being a car- 

 diac and muscular paralyzant. They all reduce the 

 number of the respirations, lower the number and 

 force of the heart beats, and lower arterial tension by 

 diminishing the calibre of the arterioles. The activ- 

 ity of the brain cells is diminished, producing a state 

 of somnolence or drowsiness, and the sensibility of 

 the peripheral nerves is so diminished that a species 

 of anaesthesia of the skin and mucous membranes is 

 produced. Motility and sexual functions are some- 

 what impaired. There is more or less emaciation, 



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