Incompatibility. 207 



incompatibility: 



This may be either chemical, pharmaceutical, xir 

 therapeutical, according as the result is chemical de- 

 composition, physical disassociation, or antagonistic 

 physiological action. Simplicity in prescribing will 

 to a great extent circumvent all of this. 



The following are a few facts which may well be 

 borne in mind so as to avoid incompatibility : Strong 

 acids decompose salts of weaker acids, form ethers 

 when combined with alcohol, and should not be com- 

 bined with hydrates or carbonates. Potassium iodide 

 decomposes metallic salts and is best given alone. 

 Silver nitrate and the acetate and subacetate of lead, 

 although incompatible with almost everything, com- 

 bine well with opium. Tannin and gallic acid, and 

 substances containing them, precipitate albumin, al- 

 kaloids, and most soluble metallic salts and gelatin. 

 Iodine and iodides are incompatible with alkaloids 

 and substances containing them. 



Alkalies neutralize free acids; poisonous com- 

 pounds are formed by the admixture of several sub- 

 stances — such as potassium iodide or syrup of iodide 

 of iron, with potassium chlorate. Potassium cyanide 

 or hydrocyanic acid dilute with calomel, bismuth 

 salts, metallic hydrates, carbonates, subnitrates, or 

 subchlorides, forming poisonous cyanidds/ 



Explosive compounds result from mixing powerful 

 oxidizing agents with others which i are/ re^adily oxi- 

 dizable. The chief members of these two classes are : 



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