LITHIUM 133 



horses, e.g., influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia. It may be added to the 

 drinking water without rendering it unpalatable. 



Lithium. 



(The Metal Is Not Used in Medicine.) 



LiTHii Carbonas. Lithium Carbonate. Li^ C03. 

 (U. S. & B. P.). 



Synonym. — Carbonate of lithia, E.; Lithium carbonicum, P. G.; carbonate de 

 lithine, carbonate lithique, Fr.; kohlensaures lithion, G. 



Derivation. — Made by action of lithium chloride in acid ammonium carbonate. 



2 Li Cl+NH, HCOs = LijCOa+NH.Cl+HCl. Purified by washing with alco- 

 hol and drying. 



Properties. — A light, white powder, odorless, and having an alkaline taste. 

 Permanent in the air. Soluble in 78 parts of water; almost insoluble in alcohol. 

 Reaction alkaline. 



Dose.—B., gr.iii-x, (.2-.6). 



LiTHii CiTRAs. Lithium Citrate. LisCoHBOi+l H2O. 

 (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Lithium citricum, citrate of lithia, E.; citrate de lithine, Fr.; 

 citronsaures lithion, G. 



Derivation. — Made by action of citric acid on lithium carbonate. 



2 HaCoHsOr+S LijC03 = 2 LisC^HsOi+S HjO-f-S Co^. Recovered by evapora- 

 tion and crystallization. 



Properties. — A white powder, or in granular form, odorless, and having a 

 cooling, faintly alkaline taste; deliquescent on exposure to moist air; soluble in 2 

 parts of water; almost insoluble in alcohol or ether. Reaction faintly alkaline 

 to litmus. 



Dose.—D., gr.v-xx, (.8-1.3). 



ACTION OF LITHIUM SALTS. 



Lithium salts are said to form soluble compounds with uric acid in 

 the blood, and so assist its elimination in the urine. As lithium combines 

 more readily with acid sodium phosphate in the blood than with uric 

 acid, it is doubtful whether it is a very efficient uric acid* solvent in the 

 ' body. The lithium salts alkalize the urine and notably increase its 

 secretion. 



Summary. — Lithium salts are diuretics, and uric acid solvents in 

 some degree. The carbonate may be given in powder or pill ; the citrate 

 in solution. 



Uses. — Lithium compounds are of little value in veterinary medicine. 

 They are serviceable, however, in the treatment of dogs with a very acid 

 urine of high specific gravity. The salts will not dissolve calculi in the 

 body, but may prevent their formation. 



Water is extremely useful in such conditions. Lithium citrate may 

 be placed in the drinking water. Thirst should be encouraged by the 

 administration of salt on the food, and high rectal injections may be 

 given to create absorption of water by this channel. Lithium salicylate 

 is thought to be the better salt for rheumatism. It is probable that 

 treatment with salicylic acid and lithium would be more satisfactory, 



*Uric acid can not exist as such in blood, which is an allcaline fluid. 



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