278 ANTIMONY. 



opium ; and with calomel and guaiacum in several cutaneous 

 diseases. 



Salts of Antimony. 



Tartarizbd Antimony, Antimonium tartarizatmn. L. — This 

 compound, commonly called Tartar Emetic, is by far the most 

 important and valuable of all the antimonials. It is usually pre- 

 pared by boiling the protoxide of antimony along with the bUtartratc 

 of potash, the oxide combining with the bi-tartrate, and forming a 

 soluble compound, which crystalizes on cooling. The London Col- 

 lege uses two ounces of the sulphuret of antimony, one ounce of 

 nitrate of potash, and two ounces of sulphuric acid, boiling them in 

 a pint and a half of distilled water. The process recommended by 

 Mr. Phillips, consists in oxidizing the sulphuret of antimony by 

 boiling it to dryness with twice its weight of sulphuric acid. The 

 gross weight of which, obtained in this manner, being well washed, 

 is then digested in a quantity of boiling water, with its own weight 

 of cream of tartar, and evaporated to the density of 1'lGl, after 

 which it is filtered hot. On cooling, crystals of the triple tartrate 

 are obtained. Pure tartar emetic crystalizes frequently in small 

 triedral pyramids.' The primitive form of its crystals is the regular 

 tetrahedron, but it assumes a variety of secondary forms. The 

 crystals are colourless, transparent, inodorous, and have a somewhat 

 nauseous, styptic, metallic taste. They effloresce slightly when 

 exposed to the air, and, when pounded, form a powder of a fine 

 white colour. According to Dr. Duncan, they are soluble in fifteen 

 parts of cold water, and in three parts of water at 212°. The 

 solution is transparent and colourless, and is decomposed when 

 kept for a considerable time ; and is also decomposed by heat, the 

 mineral acids, alkalies, and earths. The hydro-sulphurets, bitter 

 and astringent vegetable substances, and many salts, produce the 

 same effect. The infusion of galls is the most delicate test by which 

 the presence of this compound is detected, giving a dirty white 

 precipitate. 



The tartarized antimony is emetic, diaphoretic, expectorant, 

 alterative, and externally rubefacient. It is, says Dr. Murray, 

 superior to all the other antimonials in the certainty of its operation 

 at least as an emetic, and, from its solubility, is more manageable 

 with regard to the dose. It usually excites vomiting in the dose of 



