242 INORGANIC AGENTS 



first to succumb to the influence of .the bromides. Intellection 

 is clouded, and dulness and mental apathy are observed in 

 man after large amounts. Keflex action is diminished owing 

 to interference to the passage of impulses from the sensory to 

 motor cells of the cord and, later, to depression of the sen- 

 sory nerves. Finally, veith the continuous administration 

 of large doses the motor area of the spinal cord, the motor 

 nerves, and muscles fall under the depressing action of these 

 agents. 



Circulation. — Potassium bromide is a povcerful depres- 

 sant to the heart in toxic doses. Medicinal doses injected 

 into a vein induce weakness of the heart, but therapeutic 

 amounts, given bv the mouth, exert no appreciable effect upon 

 the circulation. The depressing action of potassium bromide 

 upon the heart is due wholly to the potassium ion ; the bromine 

 ion is not a heart depressant. There is practically no dif- 

 ference in the action of therapeutic doses of potassium, ■ 

 sodium, strontium, or ammonium bromides. Ischemia of the 

 pia is seen under the influence of bromides. This is the 

 result of depression of the cerebrum and sleep, and not the 

 cause of sleep. The old idea that the beneficial action of the 

 bromides, in relieving nervous excitability and in causing 

 sleep, was due to the production of vasomotor spasm and 

 cerebral ansemia, is now exploded. 



Temperature. — The temperature falls, following the 

 action of toxic amounts of the bromides, owing to lessened 

 muscular movements. 



Sexual Organs. — The bromides diminish sexual desire 

 and power. In so doing they either depress the spinal 

 centres or lessen peripheral sensibility of the genito-urinary 

 tract. 



Elimination. — The bromides are eliminated unchanged 

 by all channels and are found in the sweat, urine, milk, 

 saliva, intestinal secretions, etc. Elimination begins imme- 

 diately but may not keep pace with continuous administra- 

 tion, and bromism may occur. 



Uses Internal. — The bromides,'being particularly useful 

 in the treatment of functional nervous diseases, do not pos- 

 sess nearly the value in veterinary medicine that they have 



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