Acetate of Lead. Subacetate. Goulard‘s Extract
General Character.—The acetate of lead, better known as sugar of lead, is not unlike loaf-sugar in its general appearance. It is usually met with in the form of solid crystalline masses of a white or brownish-white colour. To the taste it is sweet, a metallic astringent taste being left in the mouth. Acetate of lead is soluble in water and in alcohol. The subacetate is a more active poison than the neutral acetate. Sugar of lead is popularly considered as an active poison, but this does not appear to be the case. Sir R. Christison gave eighteen grains daily in divided doses for eight or ten days with no other unpleasant symptoms than slight colicky pains in the abdomen. Lead is probably eliminated from the system by the urine, and also by the milk; but there is reason to believe that when once deposited in the body, some considerable time is required for its complete elimination. Dr. Wilson is of opinion that in chronic lead poisoning the lead is more largely deposited in the spleen than in any other organ of the body. This organ should therefore always be carefully examined in suspected cases of poisoning by this metal.
Goulard‘s Extract is a solution of the subacetate of lead. It may be of a reddish colour, from the employment of common vinegar in the place of pure acetic acid in the manufacture.
Goulard‘s Lotion is the extract diluted with water.
White Lead
White lead, carbonate of lead, ceruse, or kremser white, is used as a pigment. It is generally in the form of white, heavy chalky masses, insoluble in water, and, when taken in large doses, poisonous. It is this substance which, in the majority of cases, causes chronic lead poisoning, or painter‘s colic.
The chloride and nitrate, the oxides, litharge and red lead, are all poisonous; but the sulphate, due probably to its insolubility, appears to be inert.
Lead poisoning may result from—
1. Constant contact with lead and its salts in manufactories.
2. Its use in the arts and as a pigment. The injurious effects of this substance are strikingly seen among painters, the makers of glazed cards, and the workmen engaged in preparing Brussels lace—this material being whitened by beating white lead into it. All thus employed are liable to suffer more or less from chronic poisoning.