160 INORGANIC AGENTS 



grains may be given to dogs in 8 ounces of water immediately after 

 poisoning. Horses may be given 2 drams of permanganate of potash in 

 5 pints of water. In case morphine has been swallowed, solutions of 

 potassium permanganate should be acidulated with vinegar, or diluted 

 sulphuric acid, in order to form soluble compounds in the digestive tract. 

 After morphine or opium have been absorbed into the blood, it is said 

 that potassium permanganate is also antidotal when injected subcutane- 

 ously. It is difficult to see, theoretically, how this could be the case, and 

 practically has been proved not to be so. 



Uses External. — Potassium permanganate is a valuable antiseptic 

 and deodorizer in solutions varying in strength from one-tenth of 1 per 

 cent, to 4 per cent., and is used in the treatment of sores, wounds, ulcers, 

 abscess, caries, gangrene, fetid ozena, otorrhea, and leukorrhea. In the 

 stronger solution it is stimulant as well as antiseptic. It is a useful agent 

 in stomatitis and sore throat, when applied locally by means of a swab. 

 The powder is employed as a caustic upon ulcers. The hypodermic injec- 

 tion of a two per cent, solution of potassium permanganate in the area 

 about snake bite is the best antidote through local destruction of the 

 venom by oxidation. Potassium permanganate is one of the best agents 

 with which to sterilize the hands before operating. A saturated solution 

 is to be recommended for this purpose, and the stains may be removed 

 from the hands by washing them in a saturated solution of oxalic acid, 

 or in a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid. 



Potassium permanganate is a test for impure water in changing color 

 in the presence of organic matter. Two ounces of a 1 per cent, solution 

 will clarify and deodorize 100 gallons of stale and putrescent rain water. 



SECTION VI. 

 Hydrargyrum. 



~' Mekcury. Quicksilver. 



Synonym. — Mercurius vivas, argentum vivum, E.; mercure, vlf-argent, Fr. ; 

 quecksilber, G. 



Derivation. — Cinnabar, the native sulphate, is roasted or distilled with lime, 

 and condensed. 



Properties. — A shining, silver-white metal, without odor or taste; liquid at 

 ordinary temperatures, and easily divisible into spherical globules; insoluble in 

 the ordinary solvents; boils at 3580° C, and is volatilized, yielding not more 

 than 0.02 per cent, of residue; spec, gr., 13.5. When cooled to about 40° C, it 

 forms a ductile, malleable mass. 



PEEPAKATIONS CONTAIIfING METALLIC MEHCURY. 



I- — Hydrargyrum cum Creta. Mercury with Chalk. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Gray powder. 



Mercury, 88 Gm.; honey, 10 Gm.; prepared challc, 57 Gm.; water, sufficient 

 quantity to make 100 Gm. (U. S. P.) 



Mercuric oxide becomes developed by keeping, making the powder more 

 active. 



Properties. — A light gray, rather damp powder, free from grittiness, without 

 odor, and having a slightly sweet taste. Contains mercury in fine division by 

 shaking the ingredients together. 



Dose. — Foals and calves, gr.x-xv, (.6-1); D., gr.i-x, (.06-.6). 



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