DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married for 35 years. We are both over 60 and have a good marriage, except for one thing -- he is much more interested in sex than I am. When I turn him down, he gets upset and accuses me of not loving him. Abby, I do love him, and this is the only thing we disagree about.
I would like to know more about saltpeter. I know it can be purchased in a drugstore, but does a person have to have a prescription to buy it? Does it have any side effects other than the one wanted? Also, can it be slipped into food or drink without detection?
I would appreciate a speedy reply. -- TIRED IN UTAH
DEAR TIRED: I consulted my friendly neighborhood pharmacist, Dave Powells. He said, "Saltpeter, also know as 'potassium nitrate,' can be purchased over the counter without a prescription, but it should not be slipped into food or drink because it can cause violent gastroenteritis. It could raise one's blood pressure to a dangerous level. Also, prolonged exposure to saltpeter may produce anemia, nephritis (kidney disease) or methemoglobinemia (blood disorder). A cold shower might cool the husband's ardor."