ANTIMONY. 
§ 782.] 
The mineral substances in this are easy of detection by the methods already given ; 
the aloes by the formation of chrysammic acid, and the rhubarb by its microscopical 
characters. 
Dixon’s Pills probably contain the following in 
each pill;— 
Grains. 
Grfn. 
Compound extract of colocynth 
. 2-0 = 
•1296 
Rhubarb ..... 
. 1-0 = 
•0648 
Tartar emetic .... 
. -06 = 
•0038 
3-06 = 
•1982 
3. Antimonial Medicines, chiefly Veterinary:— 1 
Liver Of Antimony is a preparation formerly much used by farriers. It is a 
mixture of antimonious oxide, sulphide of potassium, carbonate of potassium, and 
undecomposed trisulphide of antimony (and may also contain sulphate of potassium), 
all in very undetermined proportions. When deprived of the soluble potash salts, 
it becomes the xvashed saffron of antimony of the old pharmacists. A receipt for a 
grease-ball, in a modem veterinary work, gives, with liver of antimony, cream of 
tartar and guaiacum as ingredients. 
Hind’s Sweating-ball is composed of 60 grains (3-888 grms.) of tartar emetic and 
an equal proportion of assafcetida, made up into a ball with liquorice-powder and syrup. 
The assafoetida will be readily detected by the odour, and the antimony by the 
methods already recommended. 
Ethiops of Antimony, very rarely used now, is the mechanical mixture of the 
sulphides of antimony and mercury—proportions, 3 of the former to 2 of the latter. 
The Flowers of Antimony, an impure oxysulphide of antimony, with variable 
proportions of trioxide and undecomposed trisulphide. 
Diaphoretic Antimony (calcined antimony) is simply antimoniate of potash. 
Glass of Antimony is a mixture of sulphide and oxide of antimony, contaminated 
with a small quantity of silica and iron. 
A quack pill, by name Ward’s Red Pill, is said to contain glass of antimony and 
dragon’s blood. 
Antimonial Compounds used in Pyrotechny:— 
Blue fire :— 
Antimonious sulphide 
. 1 
Sulphur ..... 
. 2 
Nitre ..... 
. 6 
This composition is used for the blue or Bengal signal-light at sea. Bisulphide 
of carbon and water are solvents which will easily separate the powder into its three 
constituents. 
Crimson fire :— 
Potassic chlorate ..... 17-25 
Alder or willow charcoal . . .4-5 
Sulphur ....... 18-0 
Nitrate of strontia ..... 55-0 
Antimonious sulphide .... 5-5 
1 There has long prevailed an idea (the truth of which is doubtful) that antimony 
given to animals improves their condition ; thus, the Encyclop. Brit., 5th ed., art. 
“ Antimony ” :—“ A horse that is lean and scrubby, and not to be fatted by any 
means, will become fat on taking a dose of antimony every morning for two months 
together. A boar fed for brawn, and having an ounce of antimony given him every 
morning, will become fat a fortnight sooner than others put into the sty at the samo 
time, and fed in the same manner, but without the antimony.” Probably the writer 
means by the term antimony the impure sulphide. To this may be added the un¬ 
doubted fact, that in Brunswick the breeders of fat geese add a small quantity of 
antimonious oxide to the food, as a traditional custom. 
