This section is from the book "Materia Medica And Therapeutics Inorganic Substances", by Charles D. F. Phillips. Also available from Amazon: Materia medica and therapeutics.
Hufeland introduced this remedy for epilepsy in scrofulous subjects, but it is now seldom used. Brown-Sequard, however, while reporting against its efficacy, remarks that it may diminish reflex excitability, and therefore deserves trial in tetanus and in paralysis agitans. A somewhat doubtful case of traumatic tetanus is said to have recovered under the use of about 16 gr. of the chloride, given in twenty-four hours (Edinburgh Medical Journal, 1862). In satyriasis, or excessive sexual desire, it has also been employed. Dr. Hammond recommends it in diffuse and multiple cerebral sclerosis.
Barii chloridum: the dose mentioned by Dr. Garrod and others is from 1/2 to 2 gr., but Mr. Kennedy, after much experience, maintains that 1/16 to 1/12 gr. is much more suitable and safer to commence with; very few persons, he says, can bear 1/8 gr. without irritation (Lancet, ii., 1873, p. 28). The United States Pharmacopoeia contains a liquor barii chloridi (1 part in 4 of distilled water); the dose ordered is 5 min.
As an eye-lotion, from 1 to 2 gr. may be ordered with 10 oz. of water. As a depilatory, 1 part of sulphide to 4 of excipient.
[Preparations, U. S. P. - Barii carbonas and Liquor barii chloridi.]
 
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