A N T I M O N Y : ITS HISTORY, CHEMISTRY, MINERALOGY ...

THE ANTIMONY PREPARATIONS AND THEIR USES. 169
Official Preparation of Tartar Emetic (antimonii et potassii
tartras):—Oxide of antimony in very fine powder, 2 oz.; bitartrate of
potassium, fine powder, 2J oz.; distilled water, 18 fl. oz. To the
water, previously heated to boiling-point in a glass vessel, add the
powders, previously mixed, and boil for an hour ; filter liquid while
hot, and set it aside for crystallisation.
2KHC4H4O6 + Sb2O3=2KSbOC4H4O6 + H2O.
Acid potassium Tartar emetic.
tartrate.
In small doses, it seems to increase the activity of the function of
secretion, particularly of the mucous membranes; in large doses it
causes vomiting. It is also used in some eruptive or exanthematous
fevers, in catarrhal affections, and as an ointment to be applied
externally.
Official Preparation of Antimony Trioxide (antimonii oxidum) :—
Sulphide of antimony in very fine powder, 4 oz. troy; hydrochloric
acid, 18 oz. troy; nitric acid, 1 oz. troy; liquor ammoniae, 1£ fl. oz. •
distilled water. The sulphide is put into a flask containing hydrochloric
acid, and is then digested by means of a sand-bath until
effervescence ceases. Then add nitric acid gradually. When the
nitrous acid vapours have ceased to be given off, the solution is
allowed to cool. Add half a pint of water and filter. Pour the filtered
liquid gradually into 12 pints of water, constantly stir it, and allow
the precipitate to subside. Decant the liquid and wash the precipitate
twice^ on each occasion with 8 pints of water. Then transfer it
to a muslin filter to drain, and wash it until the acid reaction ceases.
Introduce it into a vessel and subject it to the action of liquor
ammonise for two hours. Then transfer it to a muslin filter and wash
it until the filtrate gives no precipitate when silver nitrate is added.
Dry it finally in a gentle heat.
Sb2S8 + 6HC1 = 2SbCl + 3H2S.
12SbCl8+ 15H2O = 2SbCls. 5Sb2O8 + 30HC1.
2SbCl8.5Sb2Os + NH3 + 3H2O = 6Sb2O3 + 6NH4CI.
This oxide is used in the preparation' of tartar emetic.
Antimonii Sulphidum, Sb2Ss, is used almost exclusively in veterinary
practice as an alterative.
Other Antimony Compounds for Medical Purposes.—When crude
antimony is powdered and is mixed with thrice its weight of nitrate
of potash, and projected gradually into a red-hot crucible, it detonates,
producing a white oxide combined with sulphate of potash. This is
the " solvent of Eotrou or unwashed calx of antimony " of the old