Ammonium bromatum

Ammonium bromatum is a chemical compound formed by the union of ammonium and bromine, with the formula NH₄Br. In pure form, it is a white crystalline salt, odourless, with a sharp saline taste, soluble in water and alcohol. Bromine compounds, especially the bromides, were historically used in orthodox medicine for their sedative, anticonvulsant, and nerve-calming effects, particularly in epilepsy and hysteria. The ammonium radical contributes stimulating and irritative properties, while bromine adds depressive and sedative qualities.

Formerly employed in conventional medicine for epilepsy, chorea, and insomnia, and as an expectorant in chronic bronchial catarrh. Used in photography and some industrial processes involving bromine.

First clinical and toxicological observations were recorded in the late 19th century, largely by J.C. Burnett and contemporaries, with proving-like symptom collections derived from medicinal overuse of bromides [Allen, Clarke].

• Throat – chronic inflammation of pharynx and larynx, granular pharyngitis.
• Respiratory mucosa – larynx, trachea, and bronchi with tendency to thick mucus.
• Nervous system – sedative effect on brain and spinal cord, reducing reflex excitability.
• Skin – pustular and acneiform eruptions from bromide action.
• Glands – enlargement and induration in chronic inflammatory states.
• Digestive mucosa – chronic gastritis and irritation from bromide absorption.

• Eating, particularly warm food and drinks, which soothe pharyngeal irritation.
• Warm, moist air, which reduces laryngeal dryness.
• Rest and avoidance of prolonged talking.
• Gentle expectoration of thick mucus.

• Cold, dry winds aggravating throat and bronchial mucosa.
• Talking for extended periods.
• Breathing cold air, especially when inhaled rapidly.
• Early morning on waking, with increased throat rawness.
• Change from warm to cold environment.

• Kali bichromicum – Tough, stringy mucus, marked tendency to ulceration; Am-br has more granular pharynx.
• Baryta carbonica – Chronic pharyngeal catarrh in elderly; slower mental functions, more glandular involvement.
• Bromium – More acute, violent throat inflammation; Am-br slower, more chronic.
• Causticum – Hoarseness worse in the morning, but without granular pharynx.

• Complementary: Kali bichromicum, Phosphorus.
• Antidotes: Coffee, Nux vomica.
• Inimical: None recorded.
• Follows well: Baryta carbonica in chronic pharyngeal states.

A remedy for slow, chronic catarrhal processes of the pharynx, larynx, and bronchi, often in those whose nervous system is dulled or sedated. It typifies the sluggish, thickened mucous membrane, the patient mentally blunted, physically heavy, and voice hoarse from chronic irritation.

Useful in public speakers with chronic granular pharyngitis from overuse of voice. Consider in chronic bronchitis with scanty, tough mucus and in patients whose mental faculties seem dulled after prolonged bromide medication.

Mind

• Dullness, mental.
• Memory, weakness of.

Head

• Pain, frontal, morning.
• Vertigo, rising from bed.

Throat

• Granular pharyngitis.
• Mucus, thick, adherent, pharynx.

Chest / Respiration

• Hoarseness, morning.
• Catarrh, chronic bronchial.

Skin

• Acneiform eruptions from bromides.

Generalities

• Catarrh, chronic, pharynx and larynx.

Clarke, J.H. – A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Detailed account of bromide-induced catarrh, granular pharyngitis, and nervous sedation.
Allen, T.F. – Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica: Notes on mucous membrane action, skin eruptions, and mental dullness.
Hale, E.M. – New Remedies: Clinical insights on bromide compounds in chronic throat affections.