Rubidium
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Rubidium is a chemical element with atomic weight 85.44 and atomic number 37, used in medicine for epilepsy, headaches, and insomnia. Its salts have fewer side effects on the heart and stomach compared to potassium salts.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Rubidium, Rb, atomic weight 85.44, atomic number 37, melting point 38.5°; it almost constantly accompanies potassium salts, to which it is related in its chemical nature. R. is used in the form of rubidium bromide-0.3-0.6 several times a day-for administration in epilepsy, headaches, and insomnia; in the form of rubidium iodide-0.06-0.3 instead of potassium iodide. Salts of R. have less side effect on the heart and stomach than salts of potassium. The double bromide salt of R. and ammonium, in a dose of 4.0-6.5 per day, is sometimes used in epilepsy; 4.0 in one dose before sleep-as a hypnotic. Pharmacodynamics has not yet been developed. A depressing effect on the spinal cord of a frog has been noted. It is slowly excreted from the body through the kidneys, partly through the intestines with feces.
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“Rubidium.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/rubidium/