216 INORGANIC AGENTS 



because of its powerfully depressing action upon the circu- 

 lation. 



Respiratory Organs. — Small doses of antimony increase 

 secretion of bronchial mucus. Toxic amounts weaken the 

 respiratory movement by lowering the functional activity of 

 the respiratory and vagus centres, and cause a copious 

 outpouring of serous and mucous secretion into the 

 bronchial tubes, which has the effect of drowning an 

 animal in his own secretions. This action is only seen 

 in horses after intravenous injection of toxic quantities of 

 tartar emetic. 



Nervous System. — Large doses of antimony depress the 

 functional activity of the brain and sensory tract of the 

 spinal cord. Larger doses produce loss of reflex action and 

 anaesthesia, owing to the influence of antimony upon the 

 sensory side of the cord ; while in toxic amounts, antimony 

 is a general paralyzant to all the spinal centres and to the 

 motor nerves. This action applies to man and carnivora, 

 and not to horses or ruminants. 



Muscles. — In carnivora and man, antimony lessens 

 muscular strength and relaxes spasm through its depressing 

 action upon the motor nerves and muscular tissue. 



Elimination. — Antimony is mainly eliminated by the 

 bowels, but also by the kidneys, bronchial mucous membrane, 

 and other channels. 



Toddcology. — The symptoms are those described under 

 " Action on the Stomach and Bowels." The pulse is first 

 slow and then rapid and weak. The faecal discharges in 

 man are copious and of the rice water appearance character- 

 istic of Asiatic cholera. If vomiting is not free, zinc sulphate 

 should be given, or the stomach washed out. Tannic acid 

 should be administered as a chemical antidote, together 

 with the use of external heat, alcohol, strychnine and mor- 

 phine subcutaneously, and demulcents by the mouth. 



Uses External. — Tartar emetic is used in ointment, in 

 the strength of 1-4, over chronically enlarged and rheumatic 

 joints of cattle. It is also employed over the sides of the 



