Antimony, Trisulphide of

(artificially prepared). Saturate an aqueous solution of tartar emetic with hydrosulphuric acid; an orange precipitate will be thrown down. This precipitate, when collected on a filter, washed, and dried, is the pure trisulphide. Prop., . ( Native. ) Anhydrous, inodorous, insipid, opaque, brittle, easily pulverisable, and of a dark leaden-grey or steel colour; it has a striated crystalline texture, and breaks with a rough spicular fracture; is insoluble in both water and alcohol; soluble, with decomposition, in hot strong acids and alkaline solutions; melts at a red heat, and is partly di ipated in white fumes, leaving an impure grey-coloured oxide mixed with some undecomposed tersulphide ( ANTIMONY-ASH ). Its powder is black, of peculiar richne , and stains the fingers. Sp. gr. 4·6 to 4·62. The pure precipitated (amorphous) tersulphide is of orange colour; is darkened by a gentle heat, with lo of water, and at a higher temperature pa es from the amorphous to the crystalline condition, at the same time that it a umes the colour and appearance of the native sulphide. It di olves in hot hydrochloric acid, evolving hydrosulphuric acid, and producing a solution of trichloride of antimony. Pur. The crude commercial sulphide frequently contains lead, iron, copper, and arsenic, and sometimes manganese. Its goodne is commonly estimated by its compactne and weight, the largene and distinctne of the str iæ, and the volatility of its sulphide. Uses, . Chiefly as a source of metallic antimony, and of the oxide in the preparation of other antimonials. Exhibited alone, it po e es little activity unle it meets with acid in the primæ viæ, when it occasionally acts with considerable violence both as an emetic and cathartic.— Dose , 10 to 30 gr., in powder; as an alterative and diaphoretic in rheumatism, gout, scrofula, and glandular affections, and in lepra, scabies, and some other skin diseases. It is a favourite alterative in veterinary medicine , particularly in skin diseases. Farriers and grooms frequently mix a little of it with the food of horses to improve their coat and promote their ‘condition,’— Dose. For a HORSE , 1 to 4 dr. , in fine powder, often combined with nitre and sulphur; for CATTLE , 1 ⁄ 2 to 1 oz. , or even 1 1 ⁄ 2 oz. ; DOGS , 5 or 6 to 20 or 30 gr.; HOGS , 20 to 30 gr., twice or thrice daily. According to Dr Paris, it is one of the ingredients in Spilsbury’s Drops. It is also an ingredient in Tisane de Feltz.