Potassium

Preparations: Potassa.—Potassa; potasse, Fr.; Kali hydricum, Ger. Caustic potash. Occurs in cylindrical rods, is very deliquescent, and dissolves in water and in alcohol.

Potassa cum Calce

Equal parts of potassa and lime. Escharotic.

Potassii Acetas

Potassium acetate. A white, deliquescent salt, wholly soluble in water (100 in 35) and in alcohol (proof spirit 1 in 2). Dose, gr. v—Эj.

Potassii Bicarbonas

Potassium bicarbonate. In white crystals, permanent in the air, wholly soluble in water (1 in 3), and having a slightly alkaline taste. Dose, gr. v—Эj.

Potassii Carbonas

Potassium carbonate. A deliquescent salt,

wholly soluble in water (100 in 75). Dose, gr. ij—gr. x. 16

Liquor Potassii Citratis

Solution of potassium citrate. Dose,

3 j—oz J.

Potassii Citras

Potassium citrate. A whitish, granular, deliquescent salt, wholly soluble in water (10 in 6). Dose, gr. v— 3 ss.

Potassii Citras Effervescens

Effervescent potassium citrate. Citric acid, 63 grm.; potassium bicarbonate, 93 grm.; sugar, 47 grm. Dose, a teaspoonful or two.

Potassii et Sodii Tartras

Potassium and sodium tartrate; Ro-chelle salt. In colorless, transparent crystals, which effloresce slightly in dry air, and are wholly and readily soluble in five times their weight of boiling water. Soluble in cold water, 1 in 2.

Liquor Potassae

Solution of potassa. A colorless liquid, having an extremely acrid taste and. a strong alkaline reaction. Dose, τη ij —τη xx. It should be taken well diluted with water.

Potassii Chloras

Chlorate of potassium. In colorless, lustrous, monoclinic prisms or plates, or a white powder, wholly soluble in distilled water (in cold water, 1 in 16·5; in boiling water, 1 in 2). Dose, gr. v—gr. xv.

Trochisci Potassii Chloratis

Potassium chlorate troches.

Potassii Nitras

Potassium nitrate. In colorless, prismatic crystals, unalterable in the air and wholly soluble in water (in cold water, 1 in 4; in boiling water, 1 in 2½). Dose, gr. ij—gr. x.

Potassii Bichrornas

Potassium bichromate. In orange-red, an- hydrous, tabular crystals, soluble in ten parts of cold and in much less of boiling water, forming a solution having an acid reaction. Dose, gr. 1/5—gr. ss.

Potassii Bitartras

Potassium bitartrate; cream of tartar. Is sparingly dissolved in cold water (1 in 210), more freely in boiling water (1 in 15). Dose, Эj— oz ss.

Potash salts not included in this list are considered elsewhere, in accordance with their physiological relations.

Antagonists and Incompatibles

The alkalies and their carbonates are incompatible with the acids and with metallic salts. The caustic alkalies decompose the alkaloids of belladonna, stramonium, hyoscyamus, duboisia, etc. In case of poisoning, the antidotes to be employed are—acetic, citric, or tartaric acids, in the form of vinegar, cider, lemon-juice, etc.

Synergists

The alkalies assist each other's action. All agents promoting waste—for example, mercury, the iodides, etc.—increase the therapeutical activity of the alkalies.