USES OF ZINC SALTS 173 



poisoning is said to occur among workers in zinc. The 

 condition is manifested by digestive disturbances, nervous 

 symptoms and paralysis. In therapeutic doses the zinc 

 salts are astringent, diminishing secretion in the digestive 

 tract. 



USES OF ZINC SALTS. 



External. — Zinc sulphate is in common use as an astrin- 

 gent collyrium for subacute conjunctivitis (gr.ss.-ii. to 3 i.). 

 It is also employed in the treatment of canker of the ear 

 in dogs (gr.x. to 5 i')» ^^ ^^ " white lotion " (see Plumbi 

 Acetas), in this affection. 



The salt is likewise serviceable as a stimulant and 

 ■astringent solution (gr.ii.-v. to ^ i-) iii moist eczema, ulcers, 

 atonic inflammations of mucous membranes and leucorrhoea. 



Zinc carbonate is a much milder astringent than zinc 

 sulphate or acetate. The impure carbonate (calamine) is an 

 ingredient of the popular astringent and antiseptic, " pink 

 ointment" of veterinary medicine used for the cure of 

 ^* scratches " in horses. 



I^ Zinci carbonatis (impure) § ii. 



Alumenis § iss. 



Calcii carb. praecip 5 x. 



Creasoti 



Cerae flavi aa^iss. 



Adipis §xv. 



M. 



S. External use. 



The lard and wax are first melted together and then the 

 other ingredients are stirred in. Zinc oxide is used exter- 

 nally in the form of a dusting powder, ointment or paste. 

 In eczema, erythema and scratches, the zinc oxide ointment is 

 valuable and can be combined with carbolic acid (gr.x. to 5 i-) 

 to great advantage, when itching is a prominent symptom. 

 Still better than zinc ointment is a paste containing zinc 

 oxide, 2 parts ; starch and vaseline, each 3 parts. Zinc 

 acetate can be used in all cases as a substitute for zinc 

 sulphate. 



