POTASSIUM BITARTKATE 131 



smeared on the teeth of a horse thrice daily.* An half ounce 

 of a saturated , solution of potassium chlorate, with a few- 

 drops of laudanum, forms a useful injection for hfemorrhoids 

 in dogs. 



PoTAssii BiTAETEAs. Potassium Bitartrate. KH.C.HOa 



(U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Potassii tartras acida, B.P. ; cream of tar- 

 tar, cremor tartari, acid tartrate of potash, E. ; tartarus de- 

 puratus, P.G. ; pierre de vin, Fr. ; weinstein, G. 



Derivation. — Obtained from crude tartar (argol) depos- 

 ited on the sides of wine casks during fermentation of grape 

 juice, by purification. 



Properties. — Colorless or slightly opaque, rhombic crys- 

 tals, or a white, somewhat gritty powder ; odorless and having 

 a pleasant, acidulous taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble 

 in about 201 parts of water; very sparingly soluble in alco- 

 hol. Re acton acid. 



Dose.—K. & C, § ss.-i. (15.-30.) ; Sh. & Sw., § ss. (15.) ; 

 D., S ss.-i. (2.-4.). 



Action internal. — Intestines. — Potassium bitartrate is 

 a non-irritating purgative in large doses. It is a hydragogue 

 cathartic and has a strong affinity for water; abstracting it 

 from the blood vessels in the bowels, holding the same in 

 solution, and thus flushing out the intestines, (see p. 136). 



Blood. — Potassium bitartrate is in part decomposed, 

 converted into the carbonate, and absorbed as such into the 

 blood. The greater part is excreted by the bowels unchanged. 

 A portion of the latter may have been absorbed and elim- 

 inated by the intestines. 



Kidneys. — Potassium bitartrate is an active diuretic 

 and renders the urine more alkaline, but for some reason it is 

 not ordinarily employed in veterinary practice. jSTeverthe- 

 less, it is the best and safest diuretic which can be used by 

 the veterinarian in the treatment of the horse and smaller 

 animals. 



Summary. — ^Diuretic in small doses. Hydragogue 



* Also in membranous croup (roup) of fowl (gr.x.). and in that of 

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

 an equal dose of the tincture of chloride of iron: 



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