66 MATERIA MEDICA. 



directly increasing their power as sedatives or refrigerants. In yet 

 larger quantities they vomit. Although sedative to the system at large, 

 the antimonials act as stimulants to the lungs, skin, and kidneys, 

 and sometimes the liver and salivary glands. They act by being 

 taken up by the circulation. 



The preparations of antimony most used are the foUowino- : — 



1. Tartar Emetic. — {Antimonii et Potasses Tartras, U. S.) — 

 Prepared by saturating the excess of acid in the bitartrate of potassa 

 (cream of tartar), with the sesquioxide of antimony, by boiling 

 them together. It should always be crystallized, to free it from im- 

 purities. 



Prop. — A white crystalline salt, without odour, of a nauseous, 

 metallic taste, efflorescent, very soluble in water, insoluble in pure 

 alcohol ; decomposed by the pure alkalies, alkaline carbonates, and 

 the vegetable astringents. 



Efects and Uses. — The best of the antimonials ; used as an 

 alterative in chronic cutaneous diseases, and in scrofulous affections; 

 but requires to be persevered in for some time. Dose as an altera- 

 tive, 3^2 to -jig gr. [n rather larger quantities, as from ^^ to \ gr., it 

 acts as a refrigerant, and may be given whenever the action is above 

 the normal standard, as in fevers, inflammations — especially of the 

 lungs, — when it acts also by stimulating the secretions. It has been 

 given in very large doses in acute pneumonia and other pectoral 

 diseases, on the contra-stimulant plan of Rasori, as a substitute for 

 the lancet, the patient taking from one to two grains, and upwards, 

 every two hours. There is considerable risk, however, in this 

 method, arising from the excessive depression which is sometimes 

 produced, and also from the effect on the stomach and bowels. 



The 2^oisonous effects are an austere, metallic taste, excessive 

 nausea and vomiting, burning pain in the stomach, colic, extreme 

 depression of the circulation, spasms, watery evacuations from the 

 bowels, and great prostration ; resembling very much a violent case 

 of cholera. The remedies are demulcent drinks, astringent infu- 

 sions, and stimulants, both internal and external. 



Antimonial Wine. — {Vinum Antimonii^ U. S.) — A solution of 

 tartar emetic in wine, in the proportion of gr. ij to f 3j. The best 

 wine must be used — as the Teneriffe, Sherry, or Madeira, or else 

 the solution will not be perfect. This preparation is employed for 

 its diaphoretic and expectorant effects ; also as an emetic for chil- 

 dren. Dose 20 drops to f 3j. 



2. Precipitated Sulphuret of A7itimomj. — {Antimonii Sulphure- 

 Uim Precipitatum, U. S.) — Prepared by boiling together the sesqui- 

 sulphuret of antimony and a solution of potassa ; strain, and add 

 sulphuric acid while yet hot; then wash away the sulphuret of 

 potassium, and dry the precipitated sulphuret. It is an orange-red, 

 insoluble powder, composed, chemically, of a mixture of the oxide 

 and sulphuret of antimony. 



