SILVER NITRATE 141 



mon use, ^since it produces a more healthy condition in a granulating 

 wound after its application and separation of the eschar. Silver com- 

 pounds are powerfully antiseptic because silver itself is actively anti- 

 septic and because the nitrate destroys germs in coagulating their 

 proteid protoplasm. In dilution, silver nitrate is stimulant, astringent, 

 antiseptic and caustic, according to its strength. 



Internal. — Silver nitrate is probably precipitated to a considerable 

 extent by the hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice, as the chloride. Some 

 of it is possibly converted into the albuminate, and absorbed as such. 

 When ingested for a long period silver is deposited in the tissues in the 

 form of the oxide, causing dark staining of the skin in man. These 

 stains, occurring when silver nitrate comes in direct contact with the skin, 

 can be removed by a solution containing potassium cyanide, 2I/2 drams; 

 iodine, 15 grains; and water, 3 ounces; or on fabrics use a solution of 15 

 grains of corrosive sublimate in 7 ounces of boiled water ; add a small 

 teaspoonful of table salt just before using. Soak material in solution for 

 5 minutes and wash in pure water. Large doses of silver nitrate cause 

 gastro-enteritis with nervous symptoms — paralysis and convulsions — and 

 death from depression of the respiratory centres. Common salt is the 

 antidote, both externally and internally, forming the insoluble chloride. 

 In addition to salt, opium and demulcents should be exhibited in acute 

 poisoning. Silver nitrate in medicinal doses has probably a local stimu- 

 lating, astringent and alterative action on the mucous membrane of the 

 stomach ; to a less degree on the bowels. Elimination may not take place 

 at all — inert organic compounds being deposited in various parts of the 

 body — or may occur slightly from the epithelium of the digestive tract. 

 A chronic form of poisoning by silver nitrate (argyrism) is seen in man, 

 following its continued use, and is accompanied by pigmentation of the 

 skin, marasmus, chronic indigestion, with wasting of the testes and mam- 

 mary glands. A similar condition has been produced in animals, asso- 

 ciated with anorexia, weakness, anemia and emaciation. 



Uses External. — An aqueous solution (gr.iii. to §i.) is most valuable 

 in treatment of catarrhal conjunctivitis, while a stronger preparation 

 (gr.x. to §i.) is employed for purulent conjunctivitis, as a stimulant, as- 

 tringent and antiseptic collyrium. When strong solutions, like the 

 latter, are used, the eye should immediately be flooded with a solution 

 of common salt and water to precipitate the excess of silver nitrate as 

 the insoluble chloride and thus prevent further irritation. Lunar caustic 

 is applied in pencil form to ulcerated surfaces. When these surfaces are 

 touched lightly the caustic stimulates sluggish granulations; when more 

 heavily, it destroys exuberant granulations. In 2 to 4 per cent, solution, 

 silver nitrate is caustic to mucous membranes ; in % per cent, solution it 

 is stimulant and astringent to mucous membranes. 



Boils may be aborted by painting them with a saturated solution of 

 silver nitrate. Pruritus ani, or vulvae, is relieved by painting the parts 

 several times daily with a 4 per cent, solution. A solution (gr.iii. to gi.) 

 may be used in the form of spray in the treatment of pharyngitis and 

 laryngitis in the dog. In catarrh of the external ear, so common in dogs, 

 the canal should be swabbed with a 6 per cent, watery solution of silver 



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