The dose of silver nitrate is from ⅙ to ½ of a grain (0.01-0.3 gm.), usually in pill form.
Several combinations of metallic silver with albumin are much used as antiseptics and astringents in inflammatory diseases of mucous membranes. They have advantage over silver nitrate in being less irritating and in not being decomposed by the juices of the tissues. The most important of these organic compounds are protargol and argyrol. They are usually applied in solutions of from 1 to 10 per cent. A soluble form of metallic silver is also employed in the form of 15 per cent. ointment, known as Credé’s ointment. It is recommended as an antiseptic in various infectious diseases.
Spartein.—This is an alkaloid from the broom plant. It is used to some extent as a heart tonic and diuretic in doses of from ¼ to ½ grain (0.015-0.03 gm.).
Strophanthus.—This is the seed of a climbing plant growing in Africa. Its action very closely resembles that of digitalis, for which it is sometimes substituted. The dose of the tincture (Tinctura Strophanthi) is from 3 to 10 minims (0.2-0.6 c.c.).
Sulphonal.—This artificial compound is used almost entirely as a hypnotic. In single doses it is comparatively safe and reliable, but slow in its action. Languor, headache, and drowsiness not infrequently follow its use. The repeated administration of sulphonal over several days or weeks is distinctly dangerous, being often followed by chronic poisoning. The latter is marked by a red coloration of the urine, colicky pains, profound depression, weakness, and collapse.
The dose of sulphonal is from 10 to 30 grains (0.6-2 gm.). It is best given in hot tea or hot milk, one or two hours before bedtime.
Tannic Acid, Tannin.—This is employed externally as an astringent and styptic, and internally as an astringent in atonic diarrheas. It is used in the form of a gargle or in troches in relaxed conditions of the throat, in solution to prevent bed-sores, and in the form of ointment or suppositories for the relief of internal piles. Dose, 1 to 10 grains.
Trional.—This remedy resembles sulphonal in action, and is used for the same purpose. It may also be given in the same dose and manner as sulphonal.
Urotropin.—This compound, prepared by the action of ammonia on formaldehyd, is employed as a powerful urinary antiseptic in doses of from 3 to 5 grains (0.2-0.3 gm.). Large doses may cause pain in the bladder, frequent urination, and bloody urine.
Veratrum Viride.—This is the root of a North American herb. Its action resembles that of aconite in that it depresses the heart and slows the pulse. It is, however, more nauseating than aconite, and when locally applied does not cause numbness, tingling, and anesthesia. Large doses cause vomiting, muscular weakness, dizziness, sweating, failure of pulse, and collapse. It is used as a sedative in acute inflammatory diseases to subdue overaction of the heart.