Manganum

Manganese

Mangan, Ger. ; manganése, Fr.

Mangani Dioxidum

Manganese dioxide. Dose, gr. ij—gr. x. In pill or powder.

Mangani Sulphas

Manganese sulphate. In colorless or pale rose-colored transparent crystals, freely soluble in water. Dose, gr. ij—gr. v.

Unofficial preparations:

Syrupus Petri et Mangani Iodidi

A pale straw-colored sirup. Dose, τη x — 3 ss.

Ferri et Mangani Carbonas Sacch

A tasteless, reddish-brown powder.Dose,gr.v—Эj.

Syrupus Mangani Iodidi

A sirup which corresponds in strength to the official sirup of the iodide of iron, and may be given in corresponding doses.

Besides the above, a carbonate, phosphate, tartrate, malate, and lactate have been proposed for use, but hitherto they have not attracted attention and are rarely employed. The official and unofficial preparations named above are all that, according to the present state of professional experience on the subject, will ever be required. It will be most convenient, however, to include with the manganic preparations the following :

Potassii Permanganas

Potassium permanganate. In needle-shaped crystals of a deep purple color. It is soluble in sixteen parts of cold water, and the solution has a deep purple to a rose-color, according to the state of dilution of the salt. Dose, gr. ss—gr. ij. In prescribing the permanganate, freshly distilled or boiled and filtered river-water, to free it from organic matter, should be directed.

Physiological Actions

The sulphate has an extremely disagreeable styptic and metallic taste; the black oxide less so, and the saccha-rated carbonate is free from any taste except that of the sugar. The preparations of manganese are somewhat irritant to the gastrointestinal mucous membrane, and the sulphate is emeto-cathartic in full doses. There seems to be no doubt that the sulphate has a decided cholagogue effect, for very large discharge of bile is a result of its cathartic action. In small doses the manganic salts promote the appetite and digestive function. They probably enter the blood as albuminates. The intimate association of manganese with iron throughout the economy of Nature is exemplified in the human body. They are found together in the blood, hair, bile, biliary concretions, and renal calculi. The proportion of manganese to iron in the red blood-corpuscles is as one to twenty. As an essential constituent of the blood, it undoubtedly has to do with the constructive metamorphosis of the body. Used in large doses and for a considerable period of time, it produces effects analogous to those of zinc—progressive wasting and feebleness, a staggering gait and paralysis (paraplegia). In toxic doses, according to the researches of Laschkewitsch, it causes in animals death by convulsions. In smaller doses it diminishes the pulse-rate, lowers the action of the heart, and lessens the blood-pressure. Like phosphorus, manganese induces acute fatty degeneration of the liver. When it is injected into the veins of animals, it causes tetanic cramp, dilatation of the pupil, exophthalmus, and death; and after death the heart-muscle does not respond to electrical stimulation (Laschkewitsch).

Antagonists

The preparations of manganese are not incompatible with the vegetable astringents. The salts of lead, silver, and mercury, and the caustic alkalies, are chemically incompatible with manganese.

Synergists

Iron is synergistic as regards haematinic effects, and the salts of copper, silver, and zinc, as regards the effects on the nervous system.

Therapy

Although manganese has not of itself been very useful in the treatment of anaemia and chlorosis, yet there is no doubt that its combination with iron much increases the efficacy of the latter. Some of the preparations named at the head of this article, especially the sac-charated carbonate of manganese and iron, may be usefully prescribed in these diseases. Cachectic states arising from syphilis, cancer, struma, gout, prolonged suppuration, chronic malarial infection, etc., are advantageously treated by the sirup of the iodide of iron and manganese.

Gastrodynia and pyrosis, according to Dr. Leared, are relieved by ten to fifteen grain doses of the black oxide—not the commercial article, but the oxide purified by washing with hydrochloric acid. In these disorders the effects of manganese are similar to those of bismuth (nitrate and carbonate), of zinc, and silver (oxide). Small doses of manganese (sulphate) may be usefully combined with iron and quinine when prescribed to promote constructive metamorphosis. Rx Quininae sulph., ferri sulph. exsic, mangani sulph. exsic, ậậ Э j. M. Ft. pil. no. xx. Sig.: One to three pills three times a day. In jaundice of malarial origin, or from catarrh of the biliary passages, the author has seen excellent results from the use of manganese. Rx Cinchonidinae salicylat., 3 ij; mangani sulph. exsic, Э ij. M. Ft. pil. no. xx. Sig.: Two pills three times a day. Rx Fel. bovin. purif., 3 j ; mangani sulph. exsic, Э ij ; resinae podophylli, gr. v. M. Ft. pil. no. xx. Sig.: One three times a day in catarrhal jaundice. In the disordered digestion of gouty subjects, and to restore the activity of the assimilative functions after attacks of gout, manganese is most serviceable, especially as combined with salicylates.

Manganese (chloride) has been used by Osborne with success in haemorrhage (epistuxis), and the sulphate is one of the remedies for chronic rheumatism, neuralgia, cholera, and syphilis.

An ointment of the oxide ( 3 ij oz j adeps suil.) has been used with advantage in tinea, scabies, and other chronic skin-diseases. Rx Mangani oxid., sulphuris, saponis dur., ậậ oz j ; adipis suilli, oz iij. M. Ointment for porrigo.