DERIVATION.--Nitrate of potash may be obtained by purifying crude niter,
or by the interaction of sodium nitrate and potassium chloride.
PROPERTIES.--Colorless, transparent, six-sided, rhombic prisms, or a
crystalline powder, odorless and having a cooling, saline and pungent
taste. Permanent in the air. Soluble in water; very sparingly soluble in
alcohol.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 6 dr.; dogs,
5 to 20 gr.
ACTIONS.--Large doses irritate the stomach, bowels and kidneys; medical
doses are alterative, febrifuge, diuretic and feebly laxative. Excreted
by the bronchial glands, skin and kidneys, increasing secretions of
these organs; is a cardiac depressant and mild refrigerant and
diaphoretic.
Nitrate of potash is more frequently prescribed than any other potash
salt in veterinary medicine, and is commonly considered one of the best
febrifuges. Its only service in fevers is as a diuretic.
USES.--In certain febrile conditions; in oedema of legs should be
combined with digitalis and general tonics. For dropsical conditions the
acetate and citrate are better.
Nitrate of potash is highly recommended in acute laminitis, two to four
ounces once or twice daily is given by some veterinarians.