PHOSPHOR i ~s. 9 9 



with the exposed mucous memhrane. For the same reason they 

 must not be given as alteratives if dyspepsia be present. 

 Epigastric f ulness, pain, and tenderness, a sense of constriction 

 in the throat, irritation or soreness of the conjunctiva, and 

 especially vomiting, ought to suggest a diminution or suspension 

 of the drug. Children bear arsenic with comparative ease, 

 whilst old subjects are said to bear it badly. A combination of 

 iron with arsenic (for example, Vinum Ferri with Liquor Ar- 

 senicalis) is one of the best of haematinics and tonics, probably 

 because the iron affords a supply of oxygen sufficient to carry 

 to a complete termination the increased metabolism produced by 

 the arsenic. 



v PHOSPHORUS. P. 31. 

 A non-metaffic element obtained from bones. 



Source. Prepared from Phosphoric Acid or Superphosphate 

 of Lime (obtained by acting on bone-ash by oil of vitriol), by 

 distillation with Charcoal. 



Characters. A semi-transparent, almost colourless, wax- 

 like solid, when fresh ; luminous in the dark, ignites in the air ; 

 insoluble in water, soluble in ether, oils, and naphtha, entirely 

 soluble in boiling oil of turpentine and bisulphide of carbon. 



Preparations. 



a. Oleum Phosphoratum. Phosphorated Oil. 

 Made by dissolving Phosphorus in Almond Oil at 180 

 Fahr. 1 in 160. Dose, ojo 10 min. 



b. Pilula Phosphor!. Phosphorus, Balsam of Tolu, 

 and Yellow Wax. Apt to pass through the bowels 

 unchanged. Dose, 3 to 6 gr. = -fa to ^ gr. of phos- 

 phorus. 



Phosphorus is also used in preparing Acidum Phos- 

 phoricum Dilutum, and Calcis Hypophosphis. See 

 Calcium. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Phosphorus has a powerful action on the body, and one 

 which has been proved by elaborate investigations on animals 

 to be of the most interesting kind to the physiologist. As a 

 poison phosphorus is also of great importance. Unfortunately, 

 however, it cannot be said to be of much value to the thera- 

 peutist, as it has disappointed most attempts to turn it to 

 practical account in the treatment of disease. 



