Bromine

Symbol: Br
Atomic number: 35
Atomic weight: 79.904
Density (at room temperature and pressure): 3.12 g/cc
Melting point: -7.2°C
Boiling point: 58.8°C
Valence: -1, +1, +5
Ground state electron configuration: [Ar]3d¹⁰4s²4p⁵

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Bromine, a non-metallic element. Bromine has been applied externally as a caustic, but rarely. Its chief officinal preparations are bromide of ammonium, useful in whooping cough, infantile, convulsions, and nervous diseases generally; and bromide of potassium, now very extensively used, especially in epilepsy, hysteria, delirium tremens, diseases of the throat and larynx, bronchocele, enlarged spleen, hypertrophy of liver, fibroid tumors, etc. Also, as an antaphrodisiac, for sleeplessness, glandular swellings, and skin diseases. Its alterative powers are similar to but less than those of the iodides. It has a pungent saline taste, no odor, and occurs in colorless cubic crystals, closely resembling the iodide. As a hypnotic its usefulness is much increased by combining it with morphia or chloral hydrate.

Entry from Everybody's Cyclopedia, 1912.

Bro"mine (?), n. [Gr. bad smell, stink. Cf. Brome.] Chem.

One of the elements, related in its chemical qualities to chlorine and iodine. Atomic weight 79.8. Symbol Br. It is a deep reddish brown liquid of a very disagreeable odor, emitting a brownish vapor at the ordinary temperature. In combination it is found in minute quantities in sea water, and in many saline springs. It occurs also in the mineral bromyrite.

© Webster 1913.