Potassium Bichromate.
Related entries: Potassium acetate - P. chlorate - P. nitrate
Fomula—K2Cr2O.
Synonym—Bichromate of Potassium.
Therapy—Triturated with sugar of milk this agent is of much service in some cases of bronchitis. One one-hundredth of a grain of the salt so triturated will relieve dry, irritable bronchial coughs and produce amelioration of symptoms in some stubborn cases.
It is useful in hoarseness from a cold, with the accompanying dry, hard irritating cough. Harsh, rasping cough in the upper air tubes is influenced by its persistent use.
This is the remedy with which to influence congestion of the larynx.
It will cure hoarseness after a cold. It should be given where there is dry catarrh, with dry exudation from the nose, or greenish discharge, the disease advancing until there is deep ulceration. Any discharge from mucous membranes that is tough and stringy that can be drawn out in long strings, will be cured by very small doses of this salt.
Bichromate of Potassium is beneficial in cases of aphonia from congestion. One grain in four ounces of water, a teaspoonful every two, three or four hours, is about the proper dosage. It is also given where there is chronic, spasmodic, bronchial cough, accompanied with hoarseness or with a sense of dryness in the naso-pharynx. Dr. Cole uses it in the dyspepsia of beer drinkers with good results, but he thinks that the 2x trituration in a one grain tablet is the best form to give it. One doctor gives it in diphtheria about one-sixtieth of a grain at a dose. He finds that it clears off the exudate and promotes a cure in some cases especially if used in combination with echinacea or phytolacca.
The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.
