Notices respecting New Books. 295 



" Composition. — This is a double salt, or a compound of tar- 

 trate of potash and tartrate of antimony ; but I am not satisfied 

 with the results of any analysis hitherto given — that which is 

 generally quoted, is obviously incorrect. 



u Adulteration. — This salt should never be purchased in 

 powder, but always in crystals : in the former state it frequently 

 contains a portion of supertartrate of potash uncombined with 

 any oxide, and which in preparing the liquor antimonii tar- 

 tarizati is precipitated. To judge if the crystals have been pro- 

 perly prepared, drop one or two into a solution of sulphuretted 

 hydrogen gas, and an orange- coloured deposite will be formed 

 on them. 



" Incompatibles. — The solution of this salt is decomposed by 

 acids, by alkalies and their carbonates, by some of the earths 

 and metals, and their oxides, by lime-water, muriate of lime, 

 and the acetates of lead. Many vegetable infusions, and espe- 

 cially those which are bitter and astringent, decompose it, such 

 as cinchona, rhubarb, catechu, &c. 



" Medicinal uses. — Tartarized antimony either sweats, 

 vomits, or purges, according to the quantity exhibited. A 

 quarter of a grain, if the skin be kept warm, will promote a 

 diaphoresis; half a grain will first prove purgative, and then 

 diaphoretic; and one grain will generally vomit, then purge, 

 and lastly sweat the patient. It may be given in solution." 



We confess we were somewhat surprised at Mr. Phillips's 

 observations on the Pidvis Antimonialis, which tend to impress 

 the reader with the idea of its inutility and inertness ; when 

 thousands of practitioners are daily administering it as an effi- 

 cient febrifuge, either by itself or in combination with calomel; 

 without experiencing that universal disappointment which the 

 observations in question would lead us to expect: indeed, we 

 know from our own experience that it will produce nausea 

 and sometimes vomiting, though given in no greater quantity 

 than three or four grains ; this effect is not at all uncommon 

 in children. Inferences drawn a priori from the results of 

 chemical analysis, must not be allowed to supersede the tes- 

 timony of general experience. 



The results of the analysis of three different specimens 

 of this medicine, being peroxide of antimony and phosphate of 

 lime in different proportions, and those obtained by Dr. Pear- 

 son in his examination of James's Powder, agreeing so closely 

 with those obtained by Mr. Phillips himself; not only as to 

 the ingredients, but also to their proportions, ought, we think, 

 to have induced Mr. Phillips to have refrained from asserting 

 this preparation to be altogether useless ; nor should he have 

 founded his distrust respecting the Pulvis Antimonialis, upon 



the 



