For its power therefore as a Special Sedative, by which it produces nausea, Antimony is used in sthenic inflammations generally, especially in those that are rapid, and in which we desire a sudden and powerful action. In such cases it is preferable to Mercury,—which is a simple Antiphlogistic, acting in the blood, and having no operation on nerve. It is thus indispensable in Croup. It is very efficacious in sthenic Pneumonia. Laennec speaks highly of its use in acute Bronchitis. In Fevers, Dr. Graves recommends that it should be combined with Opium. In inflammations of the lungs it is particularly applicable, for it exerts a sedative influence over the nerves of those organs.
If a small dose be constantly repeated, and gradually increased to a large one, the system will at length be induced to tolerate the medicine, and it will not produce vomiting. Laennec recommended that it should be given in this way in inflammations. He considered the production of vomiting unadvisable; for by that act the system is temporarily excited, and a large quantity of the medicine rejected, which should have been absorbed into the blood to work out its action there. The soundness of his views on this point has been generally admitted by those who have succeeded him.
Given simply as an Emetic, this medicine has been used in the early stage of acute local inflammations, as Ophthalmia and Gonorrhœa. It may cut these short at their outset, by hindering the tendency of the local irritation to excite the force of the heart. When we wish simply to evacuate the stomach, as in a case of poisoning, an irritant emetic, as Mustard or Sulphate of Zinc, which acts at once without producing nausea, should be preferred, for three reasons. Its operation is more rapid. The distressing condition of nausea would be an aggravation of the existing mischief. And the production of nausea, by taking off the pressure from the vascular system, favours absorption, which is the very thing that we wish to avoid. The object of an antimonial Emetic is not so much to empty the stomach as to make a powerful impression on the system.
The influence of Antimony on the glandular organs is indirectly but powerfully intensified by its nauseant action. In small doses it is a simple Expectorant; in nauseant doses, it assists expectoration by relaxing the bronchial tubes, and diminishing the number of the respirations. In a small dose it is Diaphoretic; but in large doses it may cause copious sweating, by favouring the absorption of fluid into the blood, and dilating the capillaries and pores of the sudorific glands. In inflammatory habits a small addition of Tartar Emetic forms a powerful adjunct to a purgative dose; for by it the absorption of the other medicine is assisted, and at the same time an over-tonicity of the muscular fibre of the intestine may be diminished. But in relaxed conditions of the system, where the intestine is apt to be over-dilated, and Catharsis is favoured by Tonic medicines,—Tartar Emetic would hinder it.
Ipecacuanha, a vegetable substance, resembles Antimony in all its operations, excepting its blood-action. It is less potent as a Neurotic; less efficacious as a Diaphoretic; but excels it as an Expectorant. (Vide pp. 93, 168, 185, 249, 283, 298.)
MERCURY.
Class I. Div. II. Ord. I. Antiphlogistica.
Class I. Div. II. Ord. II. Antisyphilitica.
Class IV. Ord. III. Cathartica.
Class IV. Ord. IV. Cholagoga.