420 SALTS OF THE HEAVY METALS 



irritation. Upon reaching the intestines they act in the same way 

 and protect the mucous membrane from stimulation by the food 

 and secretions. Consequently, peristalsis is diminished and there 

 is a tendency to check diarrhea. Most of the bismuth is eliminated 

 from the bowels unchanged. Some is changed into the sulphide in 

 the large intestines. This gives the feces the characteristic black 

 color. Animals taking large quantities sometimes have a garlicky 

 breath but this is due to impurities (Tellurium) and not to the 

 bismuth. 



There is no reason to believe that there is any marked differences 

 in the action of the various salts. The soluble salt is decomposed 

 in the stomach to the insoluble oxychloride, so that it has no ad- 

 vantage over the insoluble ones. 



Therapeutics. Externally. 



1. As dusting powders for burns, wounds, and skin diseases. 

 They may be used alone or mixed with starch in various propor- 

 tions. When mixed into a paste with glycerin and water they are 

 serviceable as dressings for burns but may be too toxic for wide 

 applications. The subgallate (Dermatol) has been especially recom- 

 mended as less toxic but appears to be about as toxic as the other 

 preparations. 



2. Tor fistulse and chronic sinuses. Some practitioners have 

 good results by injecting a bismuth paste in these conditions. In- 

 jections are not usually recommended more frequently than once a 

 week. 



Internally. 



1. To check nausea, vomiting and gastric irritation in gastritis, 

 and other conditions. It is one of the most popular drugs for these 

 conditions in small animal practice. 



2. To check intestinal irritation either in simple fermentative 

 diarrhea or in a true inflammation of the intestines. The subni- 

 trate, subgallate and subsalicylate are often preferred and may be 

 combined with some intestinal antiseptic. 



The following prescriptions are representative: 

 For Gastric Irritation. 



B Bismuthi Subnitratis grs. x 



Cerii Oxalatis grs. x 



M. Ft. Pulver. 



Sig. Give at one dose. Repeat in half hour intervals if necessary. 



or 



B Bismuthi Subnitratis. 



Cerii Oxalatis aa. gr. ij 



Stovainse or Cocainae Hydrochloridi gr. %2 



M. Ft. Capsula. 



Sig. One every hour. 



