Actions and Uses.—Used chiefly as a dusting powder for wounds and excoriated surfaces; used alone or conjoined with boric acid, subnitrate of bismuth, calomel or in the form of the zinc oxide ointment is desiccant, mildly astringent and protective; it is sometimes used in chorea, epilepsy and other nervous diseases; to check excessive sweating and in diarrhoea. Used extensively in wounds and diseases of the cow’s udder.
ZINCI ACETAS—ZINC ACETATE
Derivation.—Dissolve zinc oxide in diluted acetic acid and boil. Evaporate and crystallize.
Properties.—Soft, white, six-sided monoclinic plates, of a pearly lustre, having a faintly acidious odor and an astringent metallic taste. Soluble in water and in alcohol.
Dose.—Same as zinc sulphate.
Action and Uses.—The same as zinc sulphate; it is the acetate of zinc which is the soluble agent in white lotion, caused by the acetate of lead and sulphate of zinc changing their composition.
ZINCI CHLORIDUM—ZINC CHLORIDE
Derivation.—Dissolve zinc in hydrochloric acid by boiling. The solution contains the zinc chloride with chlorides of iron and lead as impurities. These are precipitated by adding first nitric acid then zinc carbonate. Filter and finally evaporate.
Properties.—A white, granular powder, or porcelain-like masses, irregular or moulded into pencils; odorless; of such intensely caustic properties as to make tasting dangerous unless the salt be dissolved in much water, when it has an astringent, metallic taste; very deliquescent; soluble in water and alcohol.