186 INORGANIC AGENTS 



Elimination. — The bromides are eliminated unchanged by all chan- 

 nels and are found in the sweat, urine, milk, saliva, intestinal secretions, 

 etc. Elimination begins immediately but may not keep pace with continu- 

 ous administration, and bromism may occur. 



Uses Internal. — The bromides, being particularly useful in the treat- 

 ment of functional nervous diseases, do not possess nearly the value in 

 veterinary medicine that they have in human practice. Moreover, their 

 use is limited mainly to canine disorders, as bromides have little influ- 

 ence upon diseases of horses. 



Bromides are especially indicated in irritation of the motor area of 

 the cerebral cortex (convulsions), in general nervous excitability, in 

 meningitis, and in conditions due to exalted reflex action in dogs. 



The bromides are indeed the best agents we can use to prevent con- 

 vulsions in dogs. They should be combined with chloral and given, if 

 necessary, per rectum. 



Dogs with convulsions: 



Chloralis 3ii. 



Sodii bromidi 3iv. 



Aquae 3ii- 



M. 



S. Teaspoonful in water and repeat in an hour. 



The bromides are useful in canine chorea, in connection with Fowler's 

 solution. With chloral the bromides are antidotes to strychnine poisoning. 

 Sexual excitement in all animals may be allayed by the bromides. The 

 bromides are occasionally of value in reflex cough, palpitation of the 

 heart, and asthma, but are inferior to other agents in these disorders. 



Potassium bromide is recommended in the treatment of tetanus of the 

 horse, but lobelia, belladonna and cannabis indica are generally more 

 effectual. If the bromides are used they should be given with chloral. 

 Ammonium and sodium bromide are commonly said to be less depressant 

 in large doses to the heart than the potassium salt, and strontium bromide 

 less disturbing to the stomach in dogs. There does not appear to be 

 sufiicient scientific basis for either of these statements (see above). 



Iodine 



loDijM. Iodine. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — lodinum, U. S. P. 1870; iodum, P. G. ; iode, Fr. ; jod., G. 



Derivation. — Iodine is a non-metallic element (halogen) existing in combina- 

 tion in the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms. It occurs in seaweed, from 

 which it is obtained by distillation. It is also mined in the form of iodates and 

 iodides. 



Properties. — Heavy, bluish-black, brittle rhombic plates, having a metallic 

 luster, a distinctive odor, and a sharp acrid taste, It is soluble in 2,950 parts 

 of water, and in 12.5 parts of alcohol; freely soluble in chloroform, ether, and in 

 aqueous solutions of iodides. Iodine volatilizes on heating with the formation of 

 a purple vapor. With starch, a solution of iodine forms an insoluble blue com- 

 pound. 



Dose.—H. & C, 3ss-i, (2-4); Sh. & Sw., gr.x-xx, (.6-1.3). 



Not often used in solid state. 



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