DERIVATION.--Pass chlorine into a mixture of potassium carbonate and
calcium hydrate; dissolve the result in boiling water and recover the
chlorate by crystallization.
PROPERTIES.--Colorless, lustrous, monoclinic prisms or plates, or white
powder, odorless, having a cooling, saline taste. Permanent in the air.
Soluble in water. Insoluble in absolute alcohol, but slightly soluble in
mixtures of alcohol and water. Explodes readily when rubbed with sugar,
sulphur, charcoal, glycerine and many other substances.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 6 dr.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.;
dogs, 5 to 20 gr.
ACTION.--Chlorate of potash is antiseptic, antacid, alterative,
sialagogue, diuretic, febrifuge, and cardiac depressant; irritant to the
gastro-intestinal tract and kidneys. Externally, antiseptic, mild
stimulant and refrigerant. Is a protoplasmic poison, as is the nitrate;
disintegrates the red blood corpuscles.
USES.--Chlorate of potash is valuable as a wash or gargle, it stimulates
the salivary and buccal glands, moistening the dry, parched mouth. It
soothes and heals aphthous eruptions and ulcerations of the mouth and
throat; while in catarrh, sore throat and bronchitis it thins the
secretions and promotes expectoration. Like other salines, in febrile
and inflammatory diseases, whether in horses or cattle, it is believed
to lower pulse and temperature, clean the tongue, improve appetite,
gently stimulate the bowels and render the evacuations more natural and
less coated with mucus. It is frequently prescribed with good results in
horses suffering from catarrhal conditions of the bowels. In epizootic
catarrh, purpura, it is very beneficial prescribed with iron salts, as
it increases the coagulability of the blood. It is also prescribed with
other salines, bitter tonics or stimulants. Most animals of their own
accord will take an ounce daily, dissolved in their drinking water or
gruel. Pine tar is a soothing electuary for sore throat, it is conjoined
with camphor, belladonna and treacle.