262 ANTIMONY AND ITS MEDICINAL SALTS 



In dogs, as in other animals, it promotes recovery from ex- 

 hausting diseases. 



Externally, it is used as an antiseptic and astringent. It 

 coagulates albumin, and carefully employed is a valuable 

 styptic. Tow or wool saturated with a solution of the liquor 

 and applied directly to the orifice of the bleeding vessel, is 

 usually effectual. Diluted with six or eight parts of water 

 the medicinal solution is injected into the uterus in cases of 

 post-partum haemorrhage, and into the nose in epistaxis. 

 Two drachms to a pint of water, injected into the rectum, 

 destroy and bring away ascarides. The growths of actino- 

 mycosis, after scraping, are sometimes dressed with the 

 strong liquor, and subsequently with weaker solutions. The 

 strong solution has been applied, with beneficial results, in 

 grease, and canker of the horse's foot. 



Although not so effectual an antiseptic as corrosive sub- 

 limate, it readily yields part of its chlorine, and arrests the 

 actions of ferments. A solution of five per cent, in water in 

 two days retarded the growth of anthrax bacilli, and in six 

 days effectually destroyed both bacilli and their spores, 

 which was effected, however, in two days by corrosive 

 sublimate (Koch). As caustics, the liquor ferri perchloridi 

 fortis, and the solid chloride are sometimes used. 



DOSES, etc. Of the medicinal liquor and tincture, horses 

 and cattle take f 3ij- to f j. ; sheep, TT[xx. to 17\xxx. ; pigs, 

 ll\x. to TT[xx. ; dogs, TT|j. to fl\x. The smaller doses suffice 

 for hsematinic or tonic purposes, are repeated two or three 

 times daily, are diluted with at least ten parts of water, ale, 

 or gruel ; are sometimes conjoined with mineral acids, 

 quassia, calumba, and other bitters, or with alcohol or ether. 

 They are incompatible with ammonia, alkalies, or their 

 carbonates, and with tannin-containing substances. The 

 larger doses mentioned are given when powerful astringent 

 effects are required. 



ANTIMONY AND ITS MEDICINAL SALTS 



The salts and preparations of antimony in their physio- 

 logical as well as their chemical relations resemble those of 

 arsenic and bismuth. They combine with albumin, are 



