XIX.—InNFivence or Antimonious OxipE on Merazorism. By 
R. H. Cairrenpen anv Josepu A. BLAKE. 
Tue physiological action of antimony has been studied mainly with 
potassium antimony tartrate, the form in which antimony is most 
commonly used therapeutically. No experiments, however, appear to 
have been made, even with this salt, to ascertain the influence of an- 
timony on the metabolism of the body. Giithgens, however, as 
quoted by Dr. H. C. Wood,* found in some incomplete experiments 
an increase in the elimination of urea after repeated non-toxic doses 
of antimony. It is further reported+ that antimonic acid or other 
preparations of the metal, when taken in half gram doses daily for 
about two weeks, cause a diminution in the amount of glycogen in 
the liver and even a total disappearance of it, and that the liver, kid- 
neys and heart undergo fatty degeneration. Grohe and Moslert 
have confirmed the latter and state that in the production of the 
famous fatty livers, a certain amount of the white oxide of antimony 
is fed to the geese daily. Aside from these facts, there appears lit- 
tle definite regarding the action of antimony on the physiology of 
nutrition. 
What we have, therefore, endeavored to ascertain in the present 
experiment is the influence of antimony on metabolism; or particu- 
larly, on proteid metabolism as manifested in the excretion of nitro- 
gen, sulphur and phosphorus. Previous experiments§ have shown that 
potassium antimony tartrate has a noticeable retarding action on 
pancreatic digestion; we have not, however, deemed it best in the 
present experiments to use tartar emetic, as the ready solubility and 
diffusibility of the compound might cause too rapid absorption and 
thus lead to speedy toxic action. In spite, therefore, of the fact that 
we have not made any experiments on the influence of antimonious 
oxide on digestive action, we have preferred to use the latter in the 
present experiments, because of its probable slower toxic action and 
also because it has been so extensively used as a means to induce, or 
to aid in the production of, fatty degeneration. 
* Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Toxicology, p. 156. 
+ See Virchow’s Archiv., 1865, Band xxxiv, p. 78. 
+ Compare H. C. Wood. Therapeutics, p. 161. 
§ Studies from this Laboratory, 1884-85, p. 105. 
