ACTION OF THE IODIDE OF POTASSIUM. 
399 
of potassium. There might be some difference of opinion as 
to its efficacy in this or that class of disease, or in individual 
cases; but its general utility as a member of the pharma- 
copoeia was undeniable. Rarely producing any unpleasant 
effects, and unless administered with culpable carelessness, 
never giving rise to disturbances in the system of a dan- 
gerous and permanently injurious character, it might be 
classed among the safest and most beneficial remedies we 
possess. Dr.Sieveking observed that the unpleasant symptoms 
produced at times by the remedy were easily avoided or 
corrected, either by altering the doses, or by persevering in 
the use of the agents, and then briefly reviewed the general 
therapeutic effects of iodide of potassium. He observed that 
according to the disease in which it was administered, or 
according to the theory in vogue, it might be called an 
alterative, an eliminant, or a tonic. Dr. Sieveking, guarding 
himself against the imputation of attempting to exhaust the 
subject in a single paper, stated that he wished to bring 
certain cases and statements before the Society, to show the 
threefold action of the remedy. 1st. As an evacuant of 
excessive morbid secretions. 2d. As an antidote to organic 
poisons. 3d. As an antidote to and eliminant of inorganic 
poisons, With regard to the first class, the author stated, 
that although the iodide might be shown to act mainly as a 
diuretic, it could not be placed in the same category as those 
agents which operate solely by promoting copious secretions, 
as the amount of fluid discharged in consequence of its exhi- 
bition did not always bear a definite ratio to the intensity of 
the disease and the quantity of morbid accumulation in one 
of the cavities while acting as an eliminant; it also appeared 
to correct the morbid condition of the blood and the vascular 
system which primarily induced the disease. In illustration 
of the more exclusively eliminant action of the iodide, 
Dr. Sieveking brought forward a case of hydrothorax of an 
aggravated character, in which the speedy cure appeared 
exclusively due to the salt in question. The author also 
referred to the eliminative power which iodide of potassium 
appeared to exert in haemorrhagic effusion of the brain. 
Under the second head Dr. Sieveking spoke of the action of 
iodide of potassium in counterbalancing and removing the 
organic poisons, which appeared to constitute the materia 
morbi in numerous diseases. He adverted to syphilis in its 
different forms, to various scaly and other forms of skin 
disease ; and brought forward cases in illustration, cases 
which, however, he admitted to be incomplete as proofs, on 
account of the iodide not having been the sole remedy ad- 
