ACETAS KALI. D. _Kali Acetatum._ P.L. 1787.—_Sal diureticus._ P.L.
1745.—_Terra foliata Tartari._—_Sal Sennerti._—_Magisterium Purgans
Tartari._—_Sal Essentiale vini._ _Oleum Tartari Sennerti._—_Sal
digestivus Sylvii, &c._
QUALITIES. _Form_, masses of a foliated, laminar texture, extremely
deliquescent; _Odour_, slight and peculiar; _Taste_, sharp and pungent.
SOLUBILITY. f℥j of distilled water at 60° dissolves 404 grains, or 100
parts of it are soluble in 105 parts of water; the solution soon
undergoes spontaneous decomposition; it is soluble in four times its
weight of alcohol.—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. It consists of one proportional
of each of its components, or 48 potass and 50 acetic acid. INCOMPATIBLE
SUBSTANCES. It is decomposed by _tamarinds_ and _most sub-acid fruits_;
by almost every acid, as well as every variety of neutral salt, whether
_alkaline_, _acid_, or _metallic_. MED. USES. In small doses, diuretic;
in larger ones, mildly cathartic. Dose, ℈j to ʒj to produce the former,
ʒij to ʒiij to excite the latter of these effects. FORMS OF EXHIBITION.
On account of its deliquescent property it is not admissible in powders
or pills, but should be always exhibited in solution. (_Form. 108, 110,
111._) In the former editions of this work, I introduced under the
present article, those views regarding the operation of saline bodies
upon the kidneys, and their decomposition by the digestive organs, which
I considered as capable of throwing some light upon the medicinal
operation of these bodies. Having, however, in the present edition of my
work devoted a chapter to the consideration of Diuretics, I have
necessarily removed all my general observations upon this subject to
that part of the work; I therefore entreat the reader to refer to the
first part, page 93. Alibert, in speaking of the diuretic virtues of
this salt, says that it is so well suited to the sensibility of the
Absorbents that its administration is frequently followed by very
salutary effects. (_Elémens de Thérapeutique_, _vol._ i. _p. 327_.)
ADULTERATIONS. _Tartrate of potass_ is discovered by adding a solution
of tartaric acid, which will occasion with it a copious precipitate; the
_sulphates_, by their forming with acetate of lead, or muriate of
baryta, precipitates insoluble in acetic or muriatic acid. The brown
tinge which it frequently exhibits depends upon the same cause as that
which usually imparts colour to the _Liquor. Ammon. Acet._ This salt is
also sometimes contaminated with _lead_, which arises from its having
been prepared by decomposing the _acetate of lead_ by means of
_carbonate of potass_.