Chlorate of potash is in almost universal use as a remedy for catarrhal inflammation of the mouth, and fauces, for acute tonsillitis, aphthous ulcerations of the mouth, stomatitis materna, or nursing sore mouth, and mercurial stomatitis. As above stated, the domestic use of this remedy for sore mouth and sore throat has become an evil which should be discouraged. For ordinary purposes this remedy should not be employed. The utility of the chlorate is, however, so decided in the case of stomatitis materna, that all other considerations are merely secondary. In this malady large doses (fifteen grains to Э j three or four times a day) are necessary, and a less amount will fail to effect a cure. In mercurial stomatitis, ulcerative tonsillitis, diphtheritic angina, etc., the following formula may be applied locally: Rx Potassii chlorat., 3 j ; acid, carbolic, 3 ss ; glycerini, ozj; aquae, oz iij. M. Sig.: Lotion.

The potash salts are used with great advantage in many stomach-disorders. It is an undoubted chemical fact that an excess of acid is relieved by an alkali, but the result is not permanent, and the cause of the acidity is not removed. Small doses of an alkali, given with a bitter before meals, promote the flow of gastric juice, and are a serviceable combination in atonic dyspepsia. oz, Inf. calumbae, oz iv; liq. potassae, 3 ss. M. Sig.: A dessert to a tablespoonful three times a day before meals. Administered after meals, the alkalies will relieve the acidity due to an excessive production of acid, or to the acid fermentation of the starch, sugar, and fat, in the food. An acid given before meals is the proper remedy for the excessive formation of the acid of the gastric juice. Alkalies render an important service in case of indigestion of fats. Not only do they prevent the formation of butyric acid, but they assist in the process of emulsionizing the fats and help their absorption. In diseases of the liver, and when from any cause the flow of bile into the intestine is prevented, alkalies assist in the digestion and absorption of fats. The indigestion of obese subjects, and of the gouty and rheumatic, is usually cured or alleviated by alkalies. The lithia salts are generally to be preferred in gouty and rheumatic subjects; but, generally speaking, the bicarbonate of potassium is the most useful of the alkali remedies in the above-mentioned maladies.

The salts of the alkalies, especially the citrates, tartrates, and carbonates of potassium, are useful in inflammatory diseases to lessen heat, and to promote excretion of the products of inflammation. When oxidation is deficient, as represented in an excess of uric acid in the urine, a coated tongue, hebetude of mind—the so-called "bilious state" —relief is afforded by the use of the alkalies and their laxative salts. The alkaline treatment of acute rheumatism is based on these principles. Although this plan of treatment may not be adapted to all cases, there can be no doubt of its utility in respect to a considerable proportion. It must be borne in mind, as Dr. Fuller, the most influential advocate of the method, informs us, that the alkaline treatment consists in a plan, made up in part of the use of bicarbonate of potassium, and in part of certain adjuvants, notably quinine. The main point in the treatment consists in the administration of remedies to induce an alkalinization of the system as quickly as possible, for when this is accomplished further joint and heart complications are not likely to occur. Fuller gives not less than an ounce and a half of bicarbonate of potassium, largely diluted with water, in the first twenty-four hours of the treatment. Sometimes this salt is given in effervescence with lemon-juice—in the proportion of two drachms to an ounce of lemon-juice—every three or four hours, or with citric-acid solution. If the bowels are torpid, one or more compound cathartic pills are prescribed in addition. As soon as the urine ceases to exhibit an acid reaction—usually at the expiration of twenty-four hours—the quantity of potassic carbonate is reduced one half. If the urine continues alkaline at the expiration of another period of twenty-four hours, the alkali is further reduced one half, and, on the fourth day, the same conditions continuing, the treatment ceases to be exclusively alkaline. Then the alkali is reduced to the amount necessary merely to keep the urine neutral—about a half-drachm of the bicarbonate three times a day, and quinine is given. In Dr. Fuller's words, three grains of quinine, dissolved in lemon-juice, is given three times a day in effervescence with half a drachm of bicarbonate of potash. In ninety-four cases of acute rheumatism thus treated, the average duration, from the beginning of treatment, was eleven days. This method is adapted to the treatment of the plethoric, obese, and muscular subjects, and in the experience of the author is not well suited to the pale, delicate, and anaemic rheumatic.

In irritation of the urinary organs due to an excess of acid, the combinations of potash with the vegetable acids possess a high degree of utility. The liquor potasssae is much prescribed under these circumstances, but, as it is very irritating to the stomach, the salts are preferable, and they are equally effective. The liquor potassii citratis is an excellent form for this purpose. There is no doubt that the long-continued use of alkalies (citrate, acetate, and carbonate of potassa) will effect the solution of renal calculi, which are usually composed of uric acid. As the urate of soda is often the nucleus of these formations, the soda alkalies should not be used. Small doses taken daily for lengthened periods are necessary. Such alkaline waters as the Vichy may be used if more agreeable to the patient, but the best results are obtained by the administration of the citrates and tartrates in a large quantity of distilled water. When the urine is acid in any of the forms of cystic irritation—from stone, cystitis, stricture, enlarged prostate, etc.—great relief is experienced from the use of alkalies, notably the liquor potassse, the citrates, acetates, and carbonates of potassium. "When the urine is alkaline in reaction, no benefit can be derived from the use of these remedies.

The bitartrate and the acetate of potassium are very certain diuretics, especially the first named. They are most effective when given largely diluted with water. A pleasant form in which to administer cream of tartar is the familiar "cream-of-tartar lemonade," made as follows : A sufficient quantity of the remedy is dissolved in hot water; when cold the clear solution is poured off; some lemons are cut up and put in it, and it is sweetened to the taste. This solution may be drunk ad libitum. Considerable stomach and intestinal distress often follows the free use of dilute solutions of these potash salts, in consequence of the abundant production of carbonic-acid gas. The potash salts are indicated as diuretics in desquamative nephritis, and in general dropsy from valvular disease of the heart. By determining a free urinary discharge in the one case, they assist in washing out the obstructing epithelium in the tubules; in the other, they relieve the tension of the venous system. Very little is accomplished by the use of alkaline diuretics in dropsical accumulations in the various cavities.