Latin, Alumen (Gen., Alumenis)

Eng., Alum. Synonym, Potassium Alum. It contains not less than 99.5 per cent. of A1NH4(SO4)2 + 12H2O or A1K(SO4)2 + 12H2O.

The label of the container must indicate whether the salt is Ammonium or Potassium Alum.

The Potassium Alum has been the official alum till the present U. S. P. (IX).

Form

Large colorless crystals or crystalline fragments.

Odor And Taste

Odorless, and having a sweetish and strongly astringent taste.

Solubility

Potassium Alum is soluble in 7.2 parts of water, and insoluble in alcohol.

Ammonium Alum is somewhat less soluble in water.

1 Shoemaker: Materia Medica and Therapeutics.

2 Ibid.

Incompatibles

Alkalies; salts of lead, mercury, and iron; borates, carbonates, pbosphates, tartrates, tannic acid, etc. Average Dose.-8 grains (0.5 Gm.).

Official Preparation.

Alumen Exsiccatum (Gen., Alumenis Exsiccati)

Eng., Exsiccated Alum. Synonyms, Dried Alum, Burnt Alum. One hundred parts of Alum are deprived of water of crystallization by heat till reduced to 55 parts by weight.

Form

A white granular powder.

Odor And Taste

Set Alum.

Solubility

Slowly and usually incompletely soluble in 20 parts of water. Insoluble in alcohol.

Incompatibles

See Alum.

Therapeutic Action

Astringent, styptic, emetic.

Uses

There are three forms of alum on the market: Lump alum, powdered alum, and the' exsiccated alum.

"Powdered alum"is not the dried product, but should be the weaker product obtained by powdering the lumps without exsiccating.

Alum or exsiccated alum is used locally to arrest bleeding. In solution it is employed locally in the treatment of hyperidrosis, to harden the skin, as in tender feet, and as a vaginal douche in vaginitis, cystocele, etc. It is still sometimes employed as an emetic, but more desirable agents are usually available. Recommended in the treatment of lead colic.

By enema, it is employed for energetic action, particularly to promate the removal of intestinal gas and intestinal parasites.

Administration

Seldom prescribed for internal use.

For External Use

Powdered Alum and the Exsiccated Alum are sometimes prescribed, either alone or with Other agents, as astringent powders, lotions, douches, etc.

As an enema or vaginal douche:

Sig

Use heaping teaspoonful to half-gallon hot water as directed.

This would call for the powder made by pulverizing the lumps and not for the exsiccated product.

In the treatment of herpes, bromidrosis, etc.:

M.

Sig

Apply.

Alumini Hydroxidum. Aluminum Hydroxide

Latin, Alumini Hydroxidum

Eng., Aluminum Hydroxide. A white powder.