ANTIMONY. 65 



and evaporating. The crystals are large white, transparent rhombs, 

 of a very sour taste, soluble in water ; apt to be adulterated, il' in 

 powder, with tartaric acid ; fraud detected by carbonate of potassa, 

 which causes no precipitate with citric acid. A solution in the pro- 

 portion of 3j citric acid to Oj water, is about the strength of lemon 

 juice ; 9j of acid to Oj water, is the proportion for lemonade. It is 

 a valuable antiscorbutic. 



Tartaric acid is found in the juice of the grape, tamarind, &c. 

 It is much employed as a cheap substitute for citric acid. 



Saline Substances. 



Most of the neutral salts produce a refrigerant effect upon the 

 system, both as a direct result, and indirectly, in conseqence of the 

 purgative power which many of them possess. Most of them are 

 described under the head of Cathartics. The one most especially 

 refrigerant, is 



Nitrate of Potassa, commonly called saltpetre^ or nitre. It is 

 procured from the banks of the Ganges, as a natural exudation from 

 the soil ; also from artificial nitre-beds in Europe. When purified, 

 the crystals are large, six-sided prisms, with numerous transverse 

 strioe ; no odour ; taste, saline and cooling ; soluble in water ; not in 

 pure alcohol; fuses by heat, when it maybe run into moulds; a 

 high heat decomposes it. Effects. — In moderate doses, it reduces 

 the circulation, and diminishes the temperature of the body, not, 

 however, as was supposed, by its solution in the stomach. It pro- 

 bably exerts some chemical influence on the blood, rendering it less 

 inflammatory. At the same time, it is diuretic, or diaphoretic, 

 according as the patient is kept cool or warm. Large quantities are 

 apt to produce nausea and vomiting, and even poisonous effects ; 

 though very considerable doses may be taken with impunity, pro- 

 vided they be given largely diluted in some mucilaginous fluid. 

 Used in fevers of a high grade, as an adjuvant to the lancet; also 

 very useful in hemorrhages, and in all inflammations, except those 

 of the stomach and bowels. Often combined with tartar emetic, 

 and sometimes with calomel. Dose, 5 to 10 grs. every hour or two. 

 The Nitrous Powders consist of a combination of nitre, tartar 

 emetic, and calomel, — much employed in febrile complaints of a 

 bilious character. 



Antimony, 



The antimonials are the most sedative of all the refrigerants, and 

 are used very extensively with this indication. Given in quantities 

 too small to produce any obvious effect in the healthy system, they 

 nevertheless prove alterative in disease. In rather larger doses, 

 though still too small to occasion nausea, they produce a decided 

 sedative action. In still larger doses, they cause nausea, thereby 



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