424 SALTS OF THE HEAVY METALS 



found. The lesions found in chronic poisoning vary so that little 

 diagnostic importance can be placed upon them. 



Treatment. Acute. First remove the cause as soon as possible. 

 In acute poisoning administer a sulphate, preferably epsom or Glaub- 

 er's salts, so as to convert the drug into as insoluble a form as possi- 

 ble. Then remove the contents from the stomach with an emetic or 

 stomach tube if this can be done. If not, administer an excess of 

 one of the above mentioned salts to produce purgation and carry off 

 the insoluble compound. Treat the resultant gastro-enteritis with 

 anodynes and demulcents. 



Chronic Poisoning. The removal of the lead is also the chief 

 indication in chronic poisoning. This should be accomplished as 

 mentioned under acute poisoning. Then administer large doses of 

 potassium iodide to hasten the elimination of the poison. 



General Uses of Lead. The uses of lead depend entirely upon 

 its local astringent action. It is recommended by some for internal 

 administration, but others consider it too dangerous to be ever used 

 in this manner. 



PLUMBI ACETAS 



Synonyms. Lead Acetate, Sugar of Lead 



Lead acetate occurs as colorless, shining, transparent, monoclinic 

 prisms or plates, or heavy white, crystalline masses or granular crys- 

 tals, having a faintly acetous odor and sweetish, astringent and 

 iinally jnetallic taste, efflorescent. Soluble in 1.4 parts of water 

 and 38 of alcohol. 



Doses. H. 3 j — ijss; 4. — 10. Cow gr. xv — xlv; 1. — 4. 

 D. gr. % — iv; 0.05 — 0.26 once or twice daily. 



Its action has been previously discussed. 



Therapeutics. Internally, for its astringent action. It has 

 been used in obstinate diarrheas and hemorrhages from the stomach 

 and bowels, usually combined with opium. 



Externally it is used entirely for its astringent and sedative ac- 

 tion. It is sedative and astringent to wounds, sprains, bruises, etc. 

 Lead acetate is an ingredient of White Lotion (see under Zinc salts). 

 The old lead and opium wash is usually made of the subacetate of 

 lead but the acetate may be substituted. (See 1^ 1.) This is very 

 useful as a sedative and astringent for bruises, sprains, inflamma- 

 tions, etc. Lead acetate should not be used as an eye wash if there 

 is any abrasion of the cornea as it may form a permanent deposit 

 of lead and obscure the sight. 



PLUMBI SUBACETAS — SUBACETATE OP LEAD 



This preparation of lead is so unstable that it is only used in 

 solutions. 



