POTASSIUM CHLORATE 107 



nitrates, then into ammoniaj and finally escapes from the lungs as free 

 nitrogen. 



The diuretic action is chiefly due to direct stimulation of the renal 

 cells. 



Potassium nitrate is more frequently prescribed than any other 

 potassium salt in veterinary practice, and is commonly considered one of 

 the best febrifuges. Its only service in fevers is as a diuretic. 



Administration. — Nitre is dissolved in a pail of drinking water and 

 kept constantly at the larger animal's disposal. The salt is rendered 

 harmless by dilution; vascular tension and diuresis are increased by the 

 water, and the solution is cooling and grateful to the taste in fever. 

 Smaller doses (^ss.) may be given on the food to horses, but this method 

 is not so desirable. 



Uses. — Nitre, ammonium chloride, and common salt, each one part, 

 are dissolved in three parts water, and sometimes used for their refrig- 

 erant effect on local inflammatory conditions. Ice poultices are more 

 efficient. The value of nitre is over-estimated in veterinary practice. It 

 is recommended in purpura and rheumatism as an alterative. Here again 

 it is less serviceable than normal serum in the former, or salicylic acid 

 and alkalies in the latter disease. Nitre is, however, in common use in 

 such febrile affections as pneumonia and influenza, and in edema of the 

 limbs and lymphangitis in horses for its expectorant and diuretic action. 

 It is more irritating to the kidneys, than the citrate and acetate, and is 

 not used in human medicine on that account. But it is cheaper and is 

 given in drinking water to horses so largely diluted that its irritating 

 action is avoided. 



Powdered potassium nitrate — mixed with an equal amount of stramo- 

 nium leaves — is sometimes employed in asthma and bronchitis of dogs as 

 an inhalation by burning the mixture. 



PoTASsii Chlohas. Potassium Chlorate. KCIO3. 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Kalium chloricum, P. G. ; chlorate de potasse, Fr. ; chlorsaures 

 kali, G. 



Derivation. — Pass chlorine into a mixture of potassium carbonate and cal- 

 cium hydrate; dissolve the result in boiling water and recover the chlorate by 

 crystallization. 



K2CO3 -f- 6 Ca (OH) J 4-12 CI = 2 KCIO3 + Ca CO3 + BCa, Ch + e H^O. 



Properties. — Colorless, lustrous, morioclinic prisms or plates, or a white pow- 

 der, odorless, and having a saline taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in 11.5 

 parts of water. Almost insoluble in alcohol, but soluble in glycerin. Explodes 

 readily when rubbed with sugar, sulphur, charcoal, glycerin and many other sub- 

 stances. 



Dose.—H. & C, gii-vi, (8-24); Sh. & Sw., 3ss-i, (2-4); D., gr.v-xx, (.3-1.3). , 



Action Internal. — Stomach and Bowels. — In concentrated form 

 potassium chlorate is an irritant to mucous membranes — causing vomiting 

 and purging in the alimentary tract — owing to its withdrawal of water 

 from the tissues. Its "salt action" is also seen in its increasing tension 

 in the renal glomeruli and thus causing diuresis (see p. 115, sodium chlo- 

 ride). Lethal doses occasion gastro-enteritis, diarrhea, cyanosis, depres- 



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