SILVER COMPOUNDS 251 



vaseline. Solutions require to be protected from light, and 

 kept in bottles with glass stoppers. Silver nitrate is in- 

 compatible with highly oxidised bodies, and forms explosive 

 compounds with creosote and morphine. 



Argentum Colloidale. Collargolum. Soluble metallic 

 silver prepared from the directions of Dr. Crede, by Heydens' 

 Chemical Company. Colloid silver occurs in small hard 

 masses of a greenish-grey lustre, containing 97 per cent, of 

 silver. Reduced to powder, it is soluble in 20 parts of water 

 and in albuminous fluids. It is antiseptic and, except in 

 excessive doses, non-poisonous. This soluble silver is stated 

 to be of great value in the treatment of septic diseases in man. 

 In veterinary practice it has been used as a remedy for equine 

 purpura haemorrhagica, strangles, and omphalo-phlebitis of 

 foals and calves, with the object of destroying micro- 

 organisms or their toxins in the blood and tissues. Diecker- 

 hoff obtained very satisfactory results in four cases of 

 purpura treated by intravenous injection of one per cent, 

 aqueous solution in doses of 50 grammes. Further investiga- 

 tion is necessary to determine the proper dose and frequency 

 of administration. To one patient, in ten hours, Dieckerhoff 

 gave five injections of 7| grains silver colloid dissolved in 

 water. The solution does not irritate the vein. It may be 

 administered subcutaneously, or in pill or bolus mixed with 

 sugar of milk and glycerin. A solution (one or two per cent.) 

 may be used to spray or inject wounds. An ointment is 

 employed for skin diseases. For intravenous injection a 

 one per cent, solution in sterilised water is employed in 

 doses of 3 V J- to 3 XU - f r horses ; 3J- to 3ij- f r foals and 

 calves; and H\xxx. to 3J- f r dogs. These doses may be 

 repeated twice a day. Actol, or silver lactate, is a white, 

 tasteless, and odourless powder, soluble in twenty parts of 

 water. An aqueous solution of 1 in 800 forms an active 

 germicide. Itrol, or silver citrate, occurs as a light powder, 

 without odour or taste, slightly soluble in water (3800 parts). 

 Less irritating than the lactate, it is employed as an 

 antiseptic lotion (1 in 5000 of water), or ointment (1 to 50 

 of lanoline) for wounds and skin eruptions. Argentol, a 

 compound of silver and quinaseptol, is used as a substitute 

 for iodoform. 



