Properties : Potassium bromid occurs as colorless or white cubical crystals or granular powder, odorless and having a very strongly saline taste. It is freely soluble in water (1 :1½ parts), but only slightly soluble in alcohol (1:180 parts).

Incompatibilities. It is incompatible with mineral acids or oxidizing agents and with salts of silver or lead.

Action and Uses: Potassium bromid is a nerve sedative. It diminishes reflex excitability and depresses the motor area of the cortex. In large doses it is depressant to the circulation. When continued long it disturbs the nutrition and may produce an irritation of the skin similar to that produced by the use of iodin.

Potassium bromid is used to relieve convulsions, either of cerebral or of spinal origin. For this reason it is given in epilepsy. Large doses are also given to relieve the spasms of tetanus.

Potassium bromid is also useful to quiet nervous excitability in neurasthenia and hysteria. It may be given as an adjunct to hypnotics, such as chloral. It is said to be of value for the prevention of seasickness.

Dosage: 1 gm. or 15 grains, preferably administered by itself in simple dilute solution.

The dose of potassium bromid may be increased to 5 gm. or more if a powerful action is indicated. When the remedy is long continued it should be interrupted occasionally in order that no accumulation in the system may occur.