56 MATERIA MEDICA. 



granulations of ulcers, and in inflamed conditions of mucous mem- 

 branes, particularly, of the eye. 



Cuprurti Ammoniatum — Ammoniated Copper. — Made by rub- 

 bing up carbonate of ammonia with sulphate of copper ; colour, dark 

 blue. Supposed to have a special tendency to the nervous system ; 

 hence used in epilepsia, chorea, &c. Dose, gr. ss. twice a day. 



Zinc. — (Zincum, U. S.) 



Its preparations are useful in nervous disorders. 



Zinci Sulphas — Sulphate ef Zinc — White Vitriol. — Made by 

 action of sulphuric acid on metallic zinc. Crystals, needle-shaped 

 prisms, white ; taste, styptic ; soluble in water. 



Effects. — Tonic and astringent ; used chiefly in chorea and epi- 

 lepsy. Dose 2 to 3 grains. The solution an excellent application 

 to inflamed mucous membranes ; strength of the solution gr. j or 

 grs. ij to f3j of water. It is sometimes employed in combination 

 with the acetate of lead. 



Zinci Oxidum — Oxide of Zinc. — Not much used internally ; 

 sometimes externally as an ointment. The impure oxide^ or tutty^ 

 is also used in the form of an ointment for excoriated surfaces. 



Zi?ici Carbonas — Carbonate of Zinc. — Used in the form of a 

 cerate ( Turner''s cerate) — a good application to excoriated surfaces 

 and certain cutaneous eruptions. 



Silver. — (Argentum, U. S.) 



Argenti Nitras-^Nitrate of Silver — Lunar Caustic. — Prepared 

 by the action of nitric acid in silver; evaporating, fusing, and running 

 into moulds. Colour, nearly white ; very soluble ; taste styptic ; and 

 harsh. Incompatibles, the same as for iron, — also common salt. 



Effects. — Small doses are tonic ; larger, corrosive and poisonous. 

 Best antidote is common salt. Its long use is apt to occasion a dis- 

 coloration of the skin. Most used in epilepsy and chorea ; also in 

 irritable conditions of the stomach. Dose, gr. ss. to gr. iij, given in 

 pill. Its solution is very valuable as a topical application to indolent 

 ulcers, and to inflamed mucous membranes, as of the eye, nose, 

 urethra, vagina, and rectum ; strength of the solution from gr. ss. to 

 gr. X to f3j of distilled water; — also for the throat and tonsils, either 

 applied in strong solution, or in the solid form. 



Bismuth. — (Bismuthum, U. S.) 



Bismuthi Subnitras — Subnitrate of Bismuth — Magistery of 

 Bismuth. — Made by the action of nitric acid on bismuth, and then 

 throwing the resulting nitrate into water, which throws down the 

 subnitrate. A white powder, without taste or smell. Used chiefly 

 in disorders of the stomach, connected with diseased innervation, as 

 gastrodynia. Dose, 5 to 10 grains. Apt to blacken the stools. 



