ANTIMONIUM. 103 



Incompatible*. Gallic andtannic acids, most 

 astringent infusions, alkalies, lead salts. 



Jnijmrities. Cream of tartar, and iron ; 

 detected volumetrically, and by solubility. 



Dose. As a diaphoretic, ^ to gr. ; as an 

 emetic, 1 to 2 gr. 



Preparations. 



(1) Unguentum Antimonii Tartarati. 

 1 to 4. 



(2) Vinnm A n timoniale. 2 gr. in 1 

 fl.oz. Dose, 5 min. to 1 fl.dr. 



ACTION AND USES. 

 1. IMMEDIATE LOCAL ACTION AND USES. 



Externally. Antimony, in the form of the Liquor Anti- 

 monii Chloridi, is a escharotic, employed chiefly in veterinary 

 practice, occasionally by the surgeon as an application to 

 poisoned, foul, or malignant surfaces. Tartarated Antimony 

 applied to the skin, either in aqueous solution or as the officinal 

 ointment (half a drachm at a time, repeated), causes a pustular 

 eruption, and was once used as a counter-irritant in diseases 

 of the lungs, joints, or meninges. Antimony is freely absorbed 

 from the broken skin, and from mucous surfaces. 



Internally, the local effect is equally irritant. In doses 

 of 1 to 3 grains tartarated antimony is an emetic, whence its 

 popular name. The effect is partly direct due, that is, to the 

 irritant action of the drug upon the walls of the stomach ; partly 

 indirect, from immediate stimulation of the vomiting centre in 

 the medulla. Further, its direct effect on the stomach is 

 produced not only when the salt is admitted to it by the mouth, 

 but when it reaches the stomach by the blood, that is, when it 

 is being excreted by the gastric mucosa. Thus, whilst tartar 

 emetic induces vomiting most quickly when swallowed, it is not 

 speedy and evanescent in its effects, but induces both previous 

 and subsequent nausea and depression. It is not suited, there- 

 fore, for use in cases of poisoning, where rapid evacuation is of 

 the first importance, or where there is much general depression ; 

 but is useful in the first stage of acute inflammatory dJ 

 with sthenic fever, in strong healthy subjects. It is especially 

 indicated in respiratory affections, such as laryngitis and bron- 

 chitis, where its remote effects as an expectorant are valuable ; 

 or to clear the air-passages in the same diseases or in whooping 

 cough. 



