SOLUBLE SILVER 181 



one injection may suffice, but if it does not cause im- 

 mediate improvement in the symptoms, several doses 

 may thus be given at six-hour intervals. Soluble silver 

 has recently proven successful in many cases of general 

 infection, where it appears to either kill or inhibit the 

 growth of staphylococci and streptococcj. It is certainly 

 worthy of trial in veterinary medicine in this field, where it 

 has accomplished noteworthy results.* 



Puerperal septicaemia, mastitis, extensive cellulitis, 

 fetid bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, endo and pericarditis, 

 deep suppurations, phlebitis, suppurating nasal sinusitis, 

 empyema and other bacterial infections have yielded to the 

 systemic and local influence of soluble silver in human 

 medicine. Its expense is the only objection to its free 

 employment in animal practice, and this applies to all the 

 new organic silver compounds. A rigor often occurs from 

 one to four hours after the injection of coUargol, but no 

 other ill effects have been noted. When the silver can be 

 used locally (in local infections) it is also effective and may 

 or may not be at the same time given intravenously, its 

 desirability by the latter mode depending on the degree of 

 general infection. The dose intravenously is Z^-l (2.-4.) 

 for horses; dogs, gr.1-2 (0.6-0.12), given in 2 to 5 per cent, 

 aqueous solution. It is injected into the tissues as in 

 abscess, in 1 per cent, solutions. It is soluble in 20 parts of 

 water, which should be distilled or boiled, and solutions in 

 Water may be kept for months in brown bottles. Solutions, 

 from having a clear, brown color, become gray and turbid 

 when decomposed. 1-3000 aqueous solutions are appro- 

 priate for use on mucous membranes or cavities of the body. 

 Credes Ointment, made by incorporating collargol with 

 lard and wax to the extent of 15 per cent., has given good 

 results when rubbed for thirty minutes into the skin (which 

 has previously been scrubbed with soap, water and alcohol) 

 in the treatment of local and even general infections. It 

 often arrests the formation of boils, threatened suppuration 

 of glands, lymphangitis, phlebitis, cellulitis and mastitis.. 

 The dose by inunction is ^ to 1 ounce for horses, ^ to 1 



* Since writing the above eoliargol has been gaining headway in veter- 

 inary practice. DieckerhofE recommends it as a daily intravenous injection 

 cf 25 cc. of a 3 per cent, solution in purpura in the horse, and Wyman of 

 Ohio speaks very favorably of its action m catarrhal diseases of the upper 

 air passages and in septic cellulitis and lymphangitis in the horse. 



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