USES OF IODIDES • 249 



Uses Internal. — Potassium iodide is useful in causing ab- 

 sorption of enlarged, lymphatic glands, and its action should 

 be assisted by the application of iodine or red mercuric 

 iodide externally. Potassium iodide, in small doses, dimin- 

 ishes congestion and increases the fluidity and amount of 

 secretion iu acute laryngitis, acute and subacute bronchitis, 

 and appears to possess an alterative action in improving the 

 condition and nutrition of the bronchial mucous membranes. 

 It resembles ammonium chloride in the latter respect. It is 

 also of value in asthma, chronic bronchitis, unassociated 

 with copious secretion. Chronic pleuritis, pericarditis, and 

 ascites are treated with potassium iodide, which assists ab- 

 sorption, and occasionally exerts a diuretic effect. Tardy 

 resolution of pneumonic consolidation is hastened by potas- 

 sium iodide. Endocarditis with cardiac hypertrophy is said 

 to be benefited by potassium iodide and digitalis. 



Champignon, or scirrhus cord of horses, is sometimes 

 cured by the sorbefacient powers of potassium iodide in full 

 doses. Potassium iodide is' of value in goitre of dogs, calves 

 and sheep when tincture of iodine is used externally (see p. 

 246). "Boariug " and " thick wind " may be cured by the 

 administration of potassium iodide. Potassium iodide is 

 ihe drug commonly given for aneurism. Probably it is only 

 (if use when this is of syphilitic origin and not in animala. 

 Potassium iodide is the best remedy known for actino- 

 mycosis. It should be given to the larger animals in 

 doses of three drachms daily, or in the same dose as 

 Lngol's Solution, until iodism appears, when the dose 

 may be reduced to one-half this amount, and continued 

 two to, six weeks. Potassium iodide is one of the many 

 remedies prescribed in chronic rheumatism.* Potassium 

 iodide has a clinical reputation for its power to aid absorp- 

 tion and resolution in inflammation or effusions of the brain 

 or cord, in hemiplegia, paraplegia and meningitis. 



Summary. — Iodine and potassium iodide resemble one 

 another in many respects. Iodine is a local irritant, potaa- 



• Potassium iodide has giren good resultg in the treatment of periodio 

 ophthalmia in horses with the first attack. They are given one ounce daUy for 

 two to three days, and kept in the dark with cold <:ompresse3 over the eyes. 



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