Origin. - Ammonium sulphate is first formed by neutralizing gas liquor with sulphuric acid. After crystallization sublime with sodium chloride.

Description and Properties. - A white, crystalline powder, without odor, having a cooling, saline taste, and permanent in the air. Soluble in two parts of water; almost insoluble in alcohol.

Dose. - 1-30 grains (0.06-2.0 Gm.) [7 1/2 grains (0.5 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparation

Trochisci Ammonii Chloridi - Trochiscos (acc.) Ammonii Chloridi -Troches of Ammonium Chloride. - Each troche contains 1.5 grains (0.10 Gm.). -Dose, 1-6 troches.

Antagonists and Incompatibles. - Therapeutically, ammonium chloride is antagonized by the cardiac depressants. The incompatibles are - alkalies, alkaline earths and their carbonates, tartaric acid, mineral acids, and the soluble lead and silver salts.

Synergists. - The expectorants, emetics, and diaphoretics enhance the action of the drug.

Physiological Action. - Externally and Locally. - Ammonium chloride is an irritant.

Internally. - In medicinal doses the drug increases the secretions from the gastro-intestinal glands. Ammonium chloride is readily absorbed, and is eliminated by the kidneys, skin, bronchi, and mucous membranes generally, the drug being a feeble diuretic, diaphoretic, and expectorant.

Save uric acid, which is slightly diminished, all the solids of the urine are increased under the use of ammonium chloride. The drug is not considered poisonous.

Therapeutics. - Externally and Locally. - Ammonium chloride possesses a wide range of therapeutic applications. Solutions of various strengths have proved markedly efficient as local applications in indolent buboes, epididymitis, orchitis, bruises, inflammatory swellings, suppurative mastitis, etc. Senile gangrene is much benefited by immersing the foot in a bath containing 8 ounces (249.0 Gm.) of the drug to 1 gallon of water.

A solution of 3 drams (12.0 Gm.) of ammonium chloride to 1 pint (473.17 Cc.) of water is an efficient remedy in vaginitis. The lotion may be used as an injection or a tampon saturated with the fluid and applied to the parts.

Lozenges, solutions, or the nascent fumes of the drug have been found serviceable in many diseases of the nose, throat, and ear, such as coryza, chronic laryngitis and pharyngitis, chronic aural catarrh, etc.

Internally. - Few remedies are more efficient than ammonium chloride in bronchitis that has passed its inflammatory stage. In chronic bronchitis, particularly that form occurring in old people and persons of a feeble habit of body, the drug is very valuable, either given alone or associated with stimulant expectorants. The remedy has appeared to be somewhat beneficial in whooping-cough.

Contraindications. - Inflammation of the stomach, aggravated dyspepsia, marked emaciation, and anemia contraindicate the drug.

Administration. - Ammonium chloride is best given in solution, its disagreeable taste being well disguised by the addition of some preparation of licorice, such as the syrup, fluidextract, or the aromatic elixir of licorice. In bronchial diseases the virtues of the drug are enhanced by this association.