108 INORGANIC AGENTS 



sion of the hearty coma and death from asphyxia. Jaundice and 

 dark-colored urine occur in sub-acute poisoning. 



The Blood. — The blood is unaffected by medicinal doses^ but in poi- 

 soning the red corpuscles are broken down and crenated. The hemoglobin 

 is converted into methemoglobin, which is probably a mixture of hematin 

 and soluble albumin. Hemoglobin^ methemoglobin and hematin and dis- 

 integrated corpuscles appear in the urine. The blood is chocolate-colored 

 after death. The liver, spleen, kidneys and intestines are softened and 

 filled with disorganized blood. It was formerly thought that potassium 

 chlprate parted with its oxygen in the blood, and it was prescribed in 

 many disorders as an oxidizing agent. Potassium chlorate gives up very 

 little oxygen to the body since almost all of the salt absorbed escapes 

 unchanged from the organism. On the contrary, the important symp- 

 toms of poisoning are due to lack of oxygen (asphyxia), methemoglobin 

 not liberating its oxygen readily to the tissues. Death from fat embolism 

 is not uncommon during convalescence from poisoning. 



Elimination. — Potassium chlorate is eliminated unchanged by all 

 channels; mainly by the urine (90 to 96 per cent.), but also by the sweat, 

 saliva, etc. Acting locally as a stimulant in the mouth, and then affecting 

 the throat a second time by its elimination in the saliva, potassium chlo- 

 rate is frequently prescribed in diseases of the mouth and pharynx as a 

 topical stimulant. It is given in electuary, solution, or ball internally. 



Summary. — Sialogogue and diuretic. 



Uses. — Stomatitis is treated by chlorate of potassium in saturated 

 solution applied on a swab. The salt is valuable in the treatment of 

 pharyngitis in electuary. A favorite combination consists of the fol- 

 lowing: 



Pharyngitis of horses. 



]J Fluidextracti belladonna 3i 



Potassii chloratis 3il 



Pulveris glycyrrhizae gv 



Syrupi fusci q. s. 

 M. et fiat electuarium. (Weigh one ounce for sample 



dose.) ^ 



S. Smear amount equal to sample on teeth with stick 3 



times daily. 



In membranous croup (roup) of fowl (gr.x.), and in that of foals, 

 calves and pigs (gr.xxx.), it is useful when given in solution with an 

 equal dose of the tincture of chloride of iron. A half ounce of a satu- 

 rated solution of potassium chlorate, with a few drops of laudanum, forms 

 a useful injection for hemorrhoids in dogs. 



Potassii Bitarthas. Potassium Bitartrate. KHCHjOj. 

 (U. S. P.) 

 Synonym.— Potassii tartras acidus, B. P.; cream of tartar, cremor tartari, 

 acid tartrate of potash, E.; tartarus depuratus, P. G.; pierre de vin, Fr., wein- 

 stein, G. 



Derivation. — Obtained from crude tartar (argol) deposited on the sides of 

 wine casks during fermentation of grape juice, by purification. 



Properties. — Colorless or slightly opaque, rhombic crystals, or as a white, 

 somewhat gritty powder; odorless and having a pleasant, acidulous taste. Per- 



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