646

Metallic Preparations — Antimony. part hi.

formula the boiling of the hartshorn shavings ordered is unne-cessary, as the heat effectually decomposes the gelatin, whichis the only part of them that can be extracted by the boiling.The change in the proportions of the ingredients, and conse-quently in the strength of the preparation, ordered in the presentLondon Pharmacopoeia, is to be regretted. Indeed we cannotdiscover how the change can render the exhibition of it moremanageable *; and an active preparation, which has long beenused, and found to answer the intentions for which it is pre-scribed, ought not to be hastily altered for any trivial advan-tage supposed likely to result from the alteration.

From the uncertainty of uniformity in a preparation by theagency of fire, Mr. Chenevix has proposed the substitution ofa powder prepared according to the following formula: Letequal parts of white oxide of antimony and of phosphate oflime be dissolved in the smallest possible quantity of muriaticacid, and pour the solution into a sufficient quantity of dis-tilled water containing pure ammonia in solution. , A powderprecipitates, which is a mechanical mixture of submuriate ofantimony and phosphate of lime. 2 The process by heat, how-ever, is still continued in the pharmacopoeias, from a desire ofimitating, as closely as possible, the celebrated empirical pre-paration of Dr. James, "James's Powder," as a substitute forwhich this preparation was first introduced; and which, ac-cording to the analysis of Dr. Pearson, consists of 43 parts ofphosphate of lime, and 57 of oxide of antimony, in 100 parts. 3

Qualities. — The antimonial powder of the pharmacopoeiasis inodorous and insipid, of a dull white colour, insoluble inwater, and only partially soluble in acids; in this particulardiffering from the powder of Chenevix, which is soluble inevery acid that can dissolve either of its components.

Medical properties and uses. — The antimonial powder ope-rates as a diaphoretic," alterative, emetic, or purgative, accord-ing to the extent of the dose, and the state or habit of thepatient to whom it is administered. It is the preparation ofantimony most commonly employed in the commencement offevers, and in inflammatory affections ; being generally givenwith a view to its diaphoretic effect: and when a copious per-spiration is early induced, after having previously evacuatedthe stomach and bowels, fevers of the most threatening aspect

1 PoiveVs Translation of the London Pharmacopoeia, 107.

2 Phil. Mag.ll 110.

5 Phil. Trans, lxxxi. 317. Another analysis of this powder has been published1 ately by M. Fully, an Italian chemist, who gives the following as its con-stituents : seven parts of protoxide of antimony, four of phosphate of lime, fourand a half of sulphate of potass, and three and a half of potass, holding insolution protoxide of antimony. Annates de Chimie, lv. 74. Thomson's Chemistry,4th ed. iii. 315.