Strontii nitrate occurs in colorless crystals, soluble in 1.4 parts of water and slowly in alcohol. It is not official. Dose, 5 to 20 grains.
Strontii salicylate occurs in octahedral crystals soluble in water and in alcohol. It is not official. Dose, 10 to 40 grains.
Preparations and Doses.—Strontii bro midum (U. S. P.), 5 to 30 grains.
Strontii iodidum (IT. S. P.), 5 to 30 grains.
Strontii lactas (U. S. P.), 5 to 30 grains.
Physiological Action.—The strontium salts do not seem to produce any pro found effect upon the human system. They appear to improve the nutrition of the body, and have not been taken in sufficient dose to produce distinct symp toms; no case of poisoning from these salts has been reported. The presence of even a minute portion of barium, how ever, makes the preparation violently poisonous. The dominant action of the strontium salts is that of the substance with which the strontium is combined. Strontium bromide, having the action of a bromide, is a nerve-sedative and anti spasmodic. Strontium iodide acts as an iodide, and is an alterative and sin]. agogue. Strontium lactate appears to have the power of diminishing or arrest ing the excretion of albumin, without, however, increasing the amount of fluid excreted.
The following conclusions are reached as to the effect of strontium lactate: 1. The tension in the circulatory system falls. 2. The pulse, at first slow, be comes quicker as the dose is increased, while the respiration remains unaltered throughout the experiment. 3. Large quantities of the drug (1fi g. to 30 lb-. of the weight of the animal) irritates the kidneys, and with still increasing blood appears in the urine. 4. In some forms of Bright's disease the drug has a diuretic action, and diminishes the amount of albumin. 5. It is improb able that the drug has a direct action upon the renal epithelium. Bronorsky (Vratch, No. 29, '97).
Concerning the influence of the salts upon the circulation, full and satis factory reports have not been made. Lanicque and A. Malbec (Compt. Pend. de la Soc. de Biol., iv, '92) assert that strontium iodide pruduces a primary pronounced elevation of the arterial pressure, with a lessening of the number of the heart-beats, and, after a time, if the dose has been large enough. a marked fall of pressure accompanied by a very feeble. rapid action of the heart. Binet
states that in poisoning by the strontium salts, although the cardiac beat is very feeble, the arrest finally takes place in systole.
The absorption of the strontium salts and their elimination, chiefly through the kidneys, appears to be rapid. Laborde states that the lactate and tartrate have a positive and marked diuretic and anti septic action, and exert a profound influ ence in the alimentary canal and upon the excretions with which they are voided from the body. It is claimed that the strontium salts are only partially elimi nated in the urine and fasces, a portion being retained within the body, and de posited in the bowels, liver, and, to a less extent, in the soft tissues.
Therapeutics. — GASTRO -INTESTINAL DISORDERS.—In the treatment of acute gastritis, Carselli, of Palermo, has found the bromide a remarkably efficient rem edy, given in doses of 10 grains, three times a day, with or after meals. It is said to stop the vomiting and lessen the pain, which it accomplishes not only by a direct action upon the nervous system, but also through its action as an antisep tic by arresting fermentation and dimin ishing flatulence.
In hyperacidity of the stomach and in acid dyspepsia the lactate has been found to aid the digestion, inhibit fermentation, and act as a general tonic to nutrition. It has also proved efficient where there was a deficiency of hydrochloric acid.
In chronic gastric and intestinal ca tarrh the lactate is an efficient remedy.
The digestive disturbances associated with diseases of the heart and kidneys are notably ameliorated by the bromide. Nervous dyspepsia and gastralgia, nerv ous vomiting, and dilatation of the stom ach arc all amenable to the action of the bromide.
Strontium salicylate, although not offi cial, has been used in the treatment of flatulent dyspepsia and intestinal for mentation. It is said to be well borne and to improve the digestion. It is given in doses of from 5 to 10 grains after meals and is best given in capsules. For use as an intestinal antiseptic, the salicylate may replace, with advantage, salol, naph thol, etc.
The lactate is said to be an efficient tmniacide, given in a 15-per-cent. solution in water and glycerin, the dose being 1 tablespoonful twice daily for five con secutive days.