418 SALTS OF THE HEAVY METALS 



attempts have been made to produce a compound that would retain 

 the desired qualities of the nitrate but not possess the undesired ones. 

 The most important of these preparations are : — ^Argyrol, Protargol, 

 Argentamin, Actol (Silver Lactate), Itrol (Silver Citrate), and 

 Largin. Besides these, there is the soluble allotropic form of silver 

 suggested by Crede (Argentum Solubile). 



* Argyrol (Silver Vitellin). This is a compound of silver and 

 a vegetable proteid containing about 30 per cent, of metallic silver. 

 It is one of the best organic preparations on account of its high per- 

 centage of silver, extreme solubility and nonirritant action. It is 

 used in 5 to 25 per cent, solutions. Argj'rol is particularly useful as 

 an astringent and antiseptic for mucous membranes, especially those 

 of the eye, nose, vagina and urethra. 



* Protargol. This is also a proteid salt of silver containing 

 about 8 per cent, of the metal. It occurs as a fawn-colored powder, 

 freely, but slowly soluble in water. Protargol is an active nonirri- 

 tating germicide useful in the same class of conditions as mentioned 

 under argyrol. In purulent conjunctivitis it is used in from 1 to 10 

 per cent, solution in water. 



* Argentamin. This is a 10 per cent, solution of silver nitrate 

 in a 10 per cent, solution of Ethyl-enediamin. The object of the last 

 preparation is to prevent the precipitation of proteids and chorides. 

 It is decomposed by light. It is said to be useful in from 3 to 5 

 per cent, solution for conjunctivitis and keratitis. 



* Actol. Silver Lactate. White, odorless and tasteless powder, 

 soluble in about 20 parts of water. It is a powerful germicide. 

 Solutions of 1 — 1000 will kill most organisms in 5 minutes. 



* Itrol. Silver Citrate. This resembles the lactate in appear- 

 ance but is less irritating and quite insoluble in water. It has been 

 recommended as a dusting powder and as a 1 — 1000 solution for 

 sterilizing instruments. 



* Largin -is a proteid compound of silver containing about 11 per 

 cent, of silver. Used in 0.5 to 1.5 per cent, solution. 



* ARGENTUM SOLUBILE 



Synonyms. Sohible Silver, Credo's Salt, Collargol, Colloidal Silver 



This is an allotropic form of metallic silver containing about 

 87 per cent, of that metal. It is easily soluble in water. It may 

 be used intravenously, subcutaneously, by inunction, per rectum 

 or by the mouth. At one time Credo's salt was strongly recom- 

 mended as a treatment for septicemia, mastitis, bronchitis, pneu- 

 monia and other bacterial diseases. Its intravenous administra- 

 tion is not dangerous if carefully made, but may be followed in a few 

 hours by rigor, which is not very serious. A 1 — 3000 solution 

 * Unofficial. 



