"Antimony the Bafis a/'Noftrums. 123 
and extremely fharp-pointed Spicula will be 
feen forming at the Edges of the Drop, as 
Plate IV. a a a. At the fame time mi¬ 
nute Particles of the Powder, that were alfo 
fufpended in the Fluid, will be brought 
together by a mutual Attraction, and unite 
a little farther within the Drop, in Confi¬ 
gurations refembling a fine Mofs or Coral¬ 
line, very beautiful and curious to be¬ 
hold: vid* b b.— The Middle of the Drop 
ufually remains clear and void of every 
thing. 
Antimony (the Stibium of the Ancients) 
is found in many Countries : it is compofed 
of glittering, brittle Stria like Needles, the 
Colour of polifhed Steel fometimes run¬ 
ning parallel to each other, and fometimes 
lying in different Directions.—If taken as a 
Medicine in its native Condition, it is fup- 
pofed very harmlefs, occafioning no fenfible 
Diforder in the Body: but, after the Che- 
mift has tried his Art upon it, it becomes 
capable of purging or vomiting with great 
Violence, even in a very fmall Quantity, and 
therefore fhould be adminiftered with much 
Caution. Its Operation is however extreme¬ 
ly uncertain ; the fame Dofe at fome Times 
feeming to have no EffeCt at all, which 
at other Times will operate upwards and 
downwards in fuch Manner as to threaten the 
Patient’s Life. This makes mod: Phyficians 
afraid to meddle with the more elaborate 
Prepa- 
