Bromine
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Bromine. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a non-metallic element. Symbol Br; atomic weight, 79.4. Bromine was discovered in 1826 by Balard, in the salts obtained by the evaporation of sea water. Bromine is liberated from the sodium and magnesium salts by the action of free chlorine, and is separated by ether, which dissolves the bromine. This red-colored solution is removed, saturated with potash, evaporated, and heated to redness, and the bromide of potassium is heated with manganese dioxide and sulphuric acid. The bromine is liberated in the form of a deep red vapor, which condenses , reddish black liquid. Specific gravity into a dark 2.97, it boils at 63°; its vapor density is 5.54' times that of air. It has an irritating smell, and when inhaled is poisonous. It dissolves in 30 parts of water, and the solution has weak bleaching properties. Bromine and hydrogen do unite in the sunlight, but do when not they are passed through a red hot porcelain tube, forming hydrobromic acid (HBr), which is also obtained by the action of phosphorus and water on bromine. It is a colorless, fuming gas, which liquefies at 73°, very soluble in water. The concentrated solution contains 47.8 per cent. of HBr, it boils at it neutralizes and water. bromine turns starch yellow. +KBrO2+3H2O. or the larger into which the trachea tubes the bronchial tubes. forms are: (2) Chronic bronchitis. such as knife bonaceous ( 5) Bronchitis diseases, such . ( 6) fever. er BRONTË (7) Syphilitic bron- 126°, and has powerful acid properties; blood diseases. bases, forming bromides chitis. All varieties are generally pre- Hypobromous acid, HBrO, ceded by feverishness, but oftener by " a cold in the chest." The uneasy sensais only known in solutions; it has bleachtions begin about the region of the ing properties. Bromine can displace frontal sinuses, passing from the nasal chlorine from its compounds with oxymucous passages, trachea, and windpipe gen, while chlorine can liberate bromine to the chest, with hoarseness, cough, and from its compound with hydrogen. Free expectoration; but in capillary bronchitis the cough is dry and without ex- Bromine has been applied externally pectoration. In acute cases the sputum as a caustic, but rarely. Its chief ofis first thin, then opaque and tenacious, ficinal preparations are bromide of amlastly purulent; the breathing is hurried monium, useful in whooping cough, inand laborious, the pulse quickened, and fantile_convulsions, and nervous diseases the skin dry. The danger increases in generally; and bromide of potassium, proportion as the finer bronchial tubes now very extensively used, especially in become involved, and, instead of the epilepsy, hysteria, delirium tremens, have healthy respiratory sound diseases of the throat and larynx, bronwe sharp, chirping, whistling notes, varychocele, enlarged spleen, hypertrophy of ing from sonorous to sibilant. Chronic liver, fibroid tumors, etc. Also, as an bronchitis, or bronchial catarrh, is exantaphrodisiac, for sleeplessness, glantensively prevalent, especially among dular swellings, and skin diseases. Its the the aged, recurring once or twice a year alterative powers are similar to but less in spring or autumn, or both, till it bethan those of the iodides. Its preparacomes more or less constant all the year tion is the same as iodide of potassium, substituting an equivalent quantity of round. bromine for iodine-6KHO+Bre=5KBr
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a non-metallic element. It was obtained from sea water in 1826. At low temperatures it is a reddish-black liquid, but at 63 deg. F. it is converted into a heavy red vapor. The liquid is about 4.5 times a heavy as water. It has a salty taste but no odor. Bromine is a caustic. It turns starch yellow. Like chlorine, bromine has bleaching properties. In medicine bromide of ammonium is administered for whooping cough and infantile convulsions. This bromide is considered useful in nervous diseases generally. Bromide of potassium is given for sleepless-ness, epilepsy, hysteria, delirium tremens , and various swellings, tumors, and diseases of the skin. Overuse is followed by stupor, loss of speech, and of memory. 2026 Editor's Note: Bromine gave English a word for tedium. Bromide salts were prescribed so freely as Victorian sedatives that chronic poisoning, "bromism," became common — and because the drugs dulled and soothed, a " bromide " came to mean a dull, soothing platitude of the kind one says to quiet someone down. (Ed: BR 2026-06-05)