Antimony, Tart a rated

KSbOC 4 H 4 O 6 .Aq. Syn. Tartarized antimony , Tartar emetic , Emetic tartar , Pota io-tartrate of Antimony , Eng.; An tim onium tartar a tum , B. P. Prep. Various methods have been devised for the preparation of this compound, but the following, which is taken from the ‘British Pharma copœia,’ is to be preferred:— Take of oxide of antimony 5 oz. , acid tartrate of potash in fine powder 6 oz. , distilled water, 2 pints. Mix the oxide of antimony and acid tartrate of potash with sufficient distilled water to form a paste, and set aside for 24 hours. Then add the remainder of the water, and boil for a quarter of an hour, stirring frequently. Filter, and set aside the clear filtrate to crystallise. Pour off the mother-liquor, evaporate to one third, and set aside, that more crystals may form. Dry the crystals on filtering paper at the temperature of the air. Char. and Tests. In colourle transparent crystals exhibiting triangular facets, soluble in water, and le so in proof spirit. It decrepitates and blackens upon the application of heat. Its solution in water gives with hydrochloric acid a white precipitate, soluble in exce , and which is not formed if tartaric acid be previously added. Twenty grains di olve without residue in a fluid ounce of distilled water at 60°, and the solution gives with sulphuretted hydrogen an orange precipitate which, when washed and dried at 212°, weighs 9·91 grains. Phys. eff., Doses, . Externally tartar emetic acts as a powerful local irritant, causing a pustular eruption, which permanently marks the skin; for this purpose it is used in the form of solution, ointment, or plaster. Internally, in small doses ( 1 ⁄ 16 to 1 ⁄ 8 , or even 1 ⁄ 6 gr.), it acts as a diaphoretic and expectorant; in somewhat larger doses ( 1 ⁄ 6 to 1 ⁄ 2 gr.) it excites nausea, and sometimes vomiting, occasioning depre ion and relaxation, especially of the muscular fibre; in larger doses (1 to 2 or 3 gr.) it acts as an emetic and sudorific (and often as a purge), depre ing the nervous functions, and producing a feeling of feeblene , exhaustion, and relaxation, greater than that caused by other emetics; in certain doses ( 1 ⁄ 2 to 3, or even 4 gr.), it is used as a sedative and antiphlogistic, to reduce the force of the circulation, . ; in exce ive doses it acts as an irritant poison, and has in some instances caused death; and even small doses, frequently administered and long continued, have brought on a state of weakne , prostration, and distaste for food, which has led to a fatal termination. It is usually exhibited di olved in distilled water, either with or without the addition of a little simple syrup. In acute rheumatism, inflammation of the lungs or pleura, chorea, hydrocephalus, and apoplexy, it is said to have been given in doses of 2 to 4, or even 6 gr., with advantage, by Laennec, Rasori, and others; but these extreme doses are not always safe, and cannot be commendable when smaller ones ( 1 ⁄ 4 to 1 ⁄ 2 gr., repeated every two hours) appear equally beneficial, and distre the patient le . [73] In doses of 1 ⁄ 2 gr. to 3 ⁄ 4 gr. each, combined with calomel, it is a powerful and excellent alterative in acute rheumatism and many skin diseases. Of all our sudorifics it is perhaps the most valuable, and the one most generally available. Triturated with 16 to 20 times its weight of sulphate of pota a, it forms an excellent substitute for antimonial powder and James’s powder, as a diaphoretic, in doses of 2 to 4 gr. [73] “In consequence of the violent vomiting” (and it might be added—prostration) “which (even) 1 gr. has sometimes produced, I have found patients positively refuse to continue the use of the medicine.” Pereira ‘Th. & M. M.,’ 4th ed., i, 752. Whenever much gastric or intestinal irritation is present, tartar emetic should be avoided, or very cautiously administered, and then combined with an opiate, or some other sedative. It should also be given with caution to children; as, according to Me rs Goodlad and Noble, even in small doses it sometimes acts as a poison on them. In veterinary medicine it is employed to promote diaphoresis and expectoration, and to reduce arterial action, particularly in fevers, and catarrhal affections, the dose for HORSES being 20 gr. to 1 dr., or even occasionally 1 1 ⁄ 2 dr., in gruel, thrice daily; also sometimes as a diuretic and vermifuge, in doses of 1 to 2 dr., combined with tin-filings, for 2 or 3 succe ive days, followed by a purge of aloes. The usual dose for CATTLE is 20 gr. to 1 dr.; SHEEP , 5 or 6 to 20 gr.; SWINE (chiefly as an emetic), 2 to 5 or 6 gr.; DOGS (chiefly as an emetic), 1 to 3 gr. It is sometimes, though seldom, used externally, as a counter-irritant, in chest affections, .; but its employment thus requires caution. Pois., . That from large doses has been already noticed under ANTIMONY (which see ). In poisoning the treatment is the entire disuse of all antimonials, followed by tonics, a light nutritious diet, the use of lemon-juice or ripe fruit, a little wine, warm baths, and mild restoratives generally.