Conserving Supplies of Potash Alkalis

Abstract

WITH the object of ensuring that the reduced supplies of potash compounds shall be used to the best advantage the Ministry of Supply has made an Order under which purchases by consumers of caustic potash and carbonate of potash may be made only under licence. Licences will not be granted except in cases where substitution of potash by soda is impossible, but for the present, lots not exceeding half a ton a month are exempt from the Order. Compared with the vast quantities of potassium compounds used as fertilizers the amount used in the manufacture of medicinal salts is small; at a rough estimate it is probable that it does not exceed 5 per cent of the total consumption of potash; but it is desirable, nevertheless, that medical practitioners should prescribe sodium or ammonium compounds instead of potassium compounds whenever this substitution can be made without prejudice to patients. For example, sodium or ammonium bromide should be used instead of potassium bromide and sodium iodide in place of potassium iodide; and so the list might be extended. In the aggregate, the quantity of potash saved for potatoes and other market garden crops and sugar beet, for example, would not be inconsiderable.