212 ANTIMONY. 



ANTIMONY. 



Antimony (Sb. = 119.3) is extracted from the native sulphide, chiefly, occurring 

 in France, Germany, and Ontario. 



Pharmacodynamics. 



Central Nervous System. Depression from direct action on the nerve cell. 



Muscular System. Vitality lowered; direct action. 



Respiration. Accelerated at first from centric action. Later, slowed and weak- 

 ened from local disturbances of circulation. 



Heart. Accelerated at first, reflexly from the stomach ; later slowed and weak- 

 ened from depressant action on the heart muscle. 



Blood-pressure falls. Due in part to weak heart, but due chiefly to splanchnic 

 vasodilatation from toxic action on the cells of the muscle coat. 



Alimentary Tr'act. Antimony seems to exert a specific irritation on the gastro- 

 intestinal mucosa. 



Secretory Glands. Antimony stimulates secretion of perspiration and saliva, and 

 mucus from the bronchial glands; reflex. 



Metabolism. Antimony tends to cause a decrease of glycogen, an increase of 

 nitrogen elimination, and fatty infiltration. 



Temperature is lowered by the secondary slowed circulation, profuse perspira- 

 tion, and weakness. 



Absorption is very slow from skin and gastro-intestinal mucosa. 



Excretion takes place slowly in the urine, stools, and bile. 



Local Action. Antimony is irritant and pustulant to the hair follicles and to the 

 sweat-glands. 



Symptoms. 



Therapeutic Doses. Toxic Doses. 



Acrid taste. Violent, continuous vomiting, be- 



Salivation. coming slimy and bloody. 



Nausea and vomiting. Profuse, watery diarrhea. 



Free perspiration. Weak, slow, irregular pulse. 



Depression. Cold, clammy perspiration. 



Face and extremities cyanotic. 



Slow, irregular respiration. 



Lowered temperature. 



Collapse and coma. 



Respiratory failure. 



Therapeutics. 



Antimony, in the form of Ta-tar Emetic, has been much used in the past for its 

 emetic properties; but since we have other drugs equally satisfactory in action and 

 less dangerous, it would seem as if Antimony might well be discarded entirely from 

 the Materia Medica. 



Dosage. 



Antimonii et Potassii Tartras, 0.03 to o.i Gm. (o.i Gm. has proved fatal 

 in some cases.) 



