226 LEAD SALTS 



light-brown powder of agreeable taste, and containing about 

 three per cent, of beta-naphthol. It is a useful astringent 

 and antiseptic in intestinal catarrh of foals, calves, and dogs. 

 Doses. Grs. x. to grs. xxx., in boiled milk, or in electuary. 

 Thioform (bismuth dithio-salicylate) occurs as a bulky, 

 yellow powder, odourless, tasteless, and insoluble. It is 

 antiseptic and desiccant, and in the form of paste made with 

 glycerin or vaseline is used in the treatment of wounds, 

 eczema, and conjunctivitis. Pugh (Sevenoaks) prescribes 

 thioform in gastro-intestinal inflammation and ulcerative 

 diarrhoea. Combined with opium it alleviates the tenesmus 

 of white scour in calves, and also that which follows the 

 enteric form of distemper in the dog. It is a valuable 

 intestinal antiseptic, sedative, and astringent. 



LEAD AND ITS MEDICINAL SALTS 

 LEAD. Plumbum. Pb. 



Lead is chiefly obtained by roasting galena, the sulphide 

 (PbS). It has a blue-grey colour, and a peculiar odour when 

 rubbed ; is soft and fusible, melting at 617 Fahr. ; is readily 

 cut and rolled into sheets or pipes. It has the specific 

 gravity of 11*4. Exposed to air it oxidises, loses its metallic 

 lustre, and becomes dull and opaque. In contact with air 

 and soft water a soluble basic carbonate is gradually formed, 

 and water thus contaminated is dangerous. 



ACTIONS AND USES. The salts of lead resemble those of tin. 

 Metallic lead is devoid of medicinal or poisonous action. 

 Shot an alloy of lead, with two per cent, of arsenic is 

 occasionally used by the lower order of dealers, temporarily 

 and mechanically to relieve the distressed breathing of 

 broken- winded horses, by weighting the stomach and so 

 pulling the abdominal viscera away from the diaphragm. 

 Four ounces of metallic lead were given to a dog at the 

 Veterinary School of Lyons without effect. Introduced into 

 the animal body, in frequently repeated although small 

 quantity, the metal is apt, however, to become oxidised, and 

 cause poisoning. Painters, plumbers, and other persons 

 working with lead frequently suffer from lead-poisoning, and 



