TARTAR EMETIC 265 



ACTIONS AND USES. Although less used than formerly, the 

 chloride in solution is still employed as a desiccating caustic 

 for thrush, canker, and luxuriant granulations ; and for 

 wounds of the feet in cattle, and foot-rot in sheep. Its appli- 

 cation causes little pain ; but, except in cautious hands, it 

 is, however, too energetic for general use. As it cannot 

 be diluted with water without undergoing decomposition, 

 it should be mixed with three or four parts of tincture of 

 myrrh. 



ANTIMONY TARTRATE. Potassio- tart rate of Antimony. 

 Potassium Antimonyl Tartrate. Tartar Emetic. 

 [K(SbO)C 4 H 4 6 ] 2 H 2 0. 



Prepared by setting aside a mixture of antimonious oxide, 

 and acid potassium tartrate, made into a paste with a little 

 water, until combination has taken place, and then purifying 

 by crystallisation from water (B.P.). 



PROPERTIES. Tartar emetic is sold as a white powder, and 

 in colourless, transparent crystals, exhibiting triangular 

 facets, becoming opaque when opposed to the air, and crepi- 

 tating and blackening when heated. It is devoid of odour, 

 has a sweet, metallic taste, is insoluble in strong alcohol, 

 sparingly soluble in weak spirit ; dissolves in about seventeen 

 parts of water, and in three parts boiling water. The watery 

 solution is slightly acid ; is decomposed by strong acids, 

 alkalies, alkaline earths and their carbonates, and by solution 

 of tannic acid, but not by gallic acid. Iron oxide, the most 

 common impurity, communicates to the salt a yellow or 

 brown colour ; cream of tartar diminishes its solubility. 

 If purchased in crystals instead of powder, impurities are 

 more readily discoverable. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Tartar emetic applied to the skin causes 

 eruption of isolated papules, which shortly become pustules. 

 Poisonous doses produce gastro-enteritis, nervous depression, 

 or in small repeated doses, fatty degeneration. Medicinal 

 doses given to dogs, cats, and pigs are emetic, expectorant, 

 and depressant. Their physiological effects on horses, 

 cattle, and sheep are not so well marked. It is occasionally 

 used externally as a counter-irritant. 



