Basic, Nitrate

BiONO 3 . Syn. Pearl-white , Bismuth sub nitrate ; Bismuth i subnitras , B. bismuth i nitras , L.; Blanc de Fard , B. d’Espagne* , ., Fr.; Perlwei , Schminkwei , ., Ger. Prep. Bismuth, 1 oz.; nitric acid, 1 1 ⁄ 2 fl. oz.; distilled water, 3 pints; mix 1 fl. oz. of the water with the acid, and di olve the bismuth in the mixture; throw the solution into the remainder of the water, and, after repose, pour off the supernatant liquor, drain the powder that has subsided on a linen cloth, wash it with distilled water, and dry it with a gentle heat. Prop. A pearly white, inodorous powder, insoluble in water, but freely soluble in nitric acid; long exposure to a strong light turns it greyish. When prepared from a neutral solution, it consists of very fine microscopic crystalline lam inæ; but when prepared from acid solutions, with le water, the crystals are acicular, and more silky and lustrous. When moistened it exhibits an acid reaction with litmus paper. Pois., . Like the other salts of bismuth, it causes vomiting, purging, giddine , cramp, insensibility, . No certain antidote is known. The treatment may consist of an emetic, followed by the copious use of emollient drinks, as weak broth, barley water, milk and water, .; and subsequently, when nece ary to prevent inflammation, by a low diet and aperients. Uses, . In medicine , as a sedative, an astringent, or tonic, and an antispasmodic, in chronic affections of the stomach unaccompanied by organic disease of that organ, and apparently of a nervous character; particularly in gastrodynia, troublesome sickne and vomiting, pyrosis or water brash, and generally in gastro-intestinal affections attended with fluxes; also in intermittent fever, spasmodic asthma, .— Dose , 5 to 10, or even 20 gr. Externally, made into an ointment with 4 parts of lard, it has long been employed in certain chronic skin diseases. Under the name of PEARL-WHITE it is commonly used by ladies as a cosmetic; but it is stated that it injures the skin, producing, after a time, paralysis of its minute ve els, rendering it yellow and leather-like—an effect which, unfortunately, it is usually attempted to conceal by its freer and more frequent application. In very large doses it is poisonous. Both the basic nitrate and the basic chloride of bismuth pa under the names of PEARL-WHITE and PEARL-POWDER , owing to their extreme whitene and beauty. That of the druggists, however, is usually the former; that of the perfumers usually the latter, but not unfrequently both.