Prep. 1. Sulphide of antimony, 1 part; nitre, 3 parts; powder, mix, and deflagrate by spoonfuls in a red-hot crucible, then calcine for half an hour, and when cold powder the residuum.
2. Washed diaphoretic a., W. calx of a.; Antimonium diaphoreticum lo′tum, A. d. ablu′tum (Ph. Bor. 1847), A. calcina′tum (Ph. L. 1788); Antimoine diaphorétique lavé, &c., Fr.:—a. (Ph. L. 1788.) As the last, but the powder is subsequently deprived of soluble matter by repeated washings with water, after which it is collected and dried.
b. (Ph. Bor. 1847.) Metallic antimony, 1 part; nitre, 2 parts; as above, but drying the washed powder at a heat not exceeding 104° F.
Prop., &c. A white or greyish-white powder, without either smell or taste; gently diaphoretic and laxative; its activity greatly depending on the quantity of acid in the stomach.—Dose, 1 to 6 gr., or even 10 gr.; for horses, 1 to 3 or 4 dr. It was formerly in high repute; but is now almost superseded by the present pharmacopœial preparations.
Antimony, E′thiops of. Syn. Æ′thiops antimonia′lis, L. Prep. 1. From metallic mercury, 1 part; sulphide of antimony, 2 parts; triturated together until the globules of the former entirely disappear.—2. Sulphide of antimony,
3 parts; black sulphide of mercury, 2 parts; triturated together for some time. An old remedy in certain skin diseases, still highly esteemed by some provincial practitioners.—Dose, 3 to 5 gr., gradually increased to 20 or 30 gr.
Antimony, Flow′ers of. Syn. Flo′′res antimo′′nii, L.; Fleurs d′antimoine, Fr. Prep. Throw powdered sulphide of antimony, by spoonfuls at a time, into an ignited tubulated retort with a short and very wide neck, until as many ‘flowers’ collect in the receiver as are required. An impure oxysulphide of antimony, with variable portions of trioxide, and undecomposed tersulphide. Emetic in doses of 1 to 3 grains.
Antimony, Flowers of (Ar′gentine). [-ĭn.] Syn. White ox′ide of antimony, Snow of a.†; Antimo′′nii flo′′res argenti′ni, A. nix†, L.; Fleurs argentine d’antimoine, Oxyde blanc d’antimoine, Fr. Prep. Melt metallic antimony in a vessel freely exposed to the air, and furnished with a cool place for the ‘flowers’ to rest on, and collect them as deposited; or, and what is better, heat the metal to a full red or white heat in a covered crucible, and then suddenly expose it to the air, when it will inflame, and the oxidised vapour condense as ‘flowers’ on any cool surface (as a partially inverted wide-mouthed flask) held at a little distance over it. The product is TRIOXIDE OF ANTIMONY in a crystalline form, and received the name of argentine flowers from its silvery whiteness and beauty.
Antimony, Flowers of (Helmont’s). Syn. Flo′′res antimo′′nii Helmon′tii. An old preparation formed by dissolving sulphide of antimony in aqua regia, expelling the free water and acid by heat, and subliming the residuum with an equal weight of sal ammoniac. Violently emetic, even in small doses, and unfit for internal use.
Antimony, Flowers of (Red). Syn. Flo′′res antimo′′nii ru′bri, L. From sulphide of antimony, and sal ammoniac, both in fine powder, mixed and sublimed together. Resembles the last.