Pulvis effervescens compositus, U. S. P. (Seidlitz powder: soda bicarbonate, 40 grains, and sal Rochelle, 2 drachms, in blue paper; tartaric acid, 35 grains, in white paper), 1 to 2 powders.
Potassii ferrocyanidum, U. S. P. (ferro cyanide, or yellow prussiate, of potash), 10 to 30 grains.
Potassii hypophosphis, U. S. P. (hypo phosphite of potash), 3 to 30 grains. (See PHOSPHORUS.) Syrupus hypophosphitum, U. S. P. (syrup of the hypophosphites), 1 to 2 drachms. (See PHOSPHORUS.) Syrupus hypophosphitum cum ferro, U. S. P. (syrup of the hypophosphites with iron), to 1 V, drachms. (See PHOSPHORUS.) Potassii iodidum, U. S. P. (iodide of potash), 5 to 60 grains. (See IODINE.) The best method of prescribing potas sium iodide is: One ounce of the salt is dissolved in drachms of hot water. The solution is then brought to 1 ounce with distilled water. This always results in a solution representing 1 grain in each minim, and, approximately, in each drop. Hynson (Bulletin of Pharmacy; Med. News, May 13, '99).
Unguentum potassii iodidum, U. S. P. (iodide of potash, 12 per cent.). (See IODINE.) Potassii nitras, U. S. P. (nitrate of potash, saltpeter, sal prunella), 10 to 30 grains.
Charta potassii nitratis, U. S. P. (paper dipped in 20-per-cent. solution of nitrate of potash).
Potassii permanganas, U. S. P. (per manganate of potash), to 3 grains. (See MANGANESE.) Potassii sulphas, U. S. P. (sulphate of potash), 7, to 4 drachms.
Antimonii et potassii tartras, Y. S. P. (tartar emetic), to 1 grain.
Ferri et potassii tartras, U. S. P. (tar trate of iron and potash), 10 to 30 grains (See IRoN.)
Liquor potassii arsenitis, U. S. P. (Fowler's solution of arsenic, 1 per cent.), 3 to 10 minims. (See ARSENIC.) Poisoning by Potassium and its Salts. —Potassium and its salts are rarely used for suicidal purposes. They are, how ever, extensively used in the arts, in the manufacture of glass and soap, under the name of potash and pearlash, and soap lees, and in the form of concentrated lye for household purposes; sickness and occasionally death have occurred as the result of taking them accidentally.
POTASSA.—The symptoms of poison ing by potassa or lye are an acrid, nau seating taste, followed by a burning heat in the throat and stomach, severe ab dominal pains, vomiting, and purging. Forty grains of caustic potash in solution have caused death. Death may take place within a few hours or days from laryn geal spasm or oedema, shock or cardiac paralysis, or it may be protracted several months (from inflammation of the stom ach and intestines or stenotic disor ders produced by cicatrization). (See EESOPHAGUS.) The treatment for poisoning by caustic potash consists in the evacuation of the stomach and administration of a vege table acid,—acetic, citric, or tartaric,— in the form of vinegar, cider, or lemon juice, which neutralizes the alkali and forms neutral salts. The fixed oils, which with potash form soap, should be given. Demulcent drinks will soothe the con gested alimentary canal, digitalis and stimulants (hypodermically) will sustain the heart, and opium will alleviate the pain, control the purging, and lessen the inflammatory symptoms.