1. A drop evaporated on a glass slide leaves microscopic crystals, either tetrahedra or cubes, with the edges bevelled off.
2. The solution may further be proved to contain antimony by passing through it sulphuretted hydrogen or adding to it sulphide of ammonium, either of which throws down an orange-red precipitate of sulphide of antimony. This precipitate is soluble in strong hydrochloric acid, which being diluted, throws down a white precipitate.
3. The three dilute mineral acids (nitric is best) throw down a white precipitate with tartar emetic, which is soluble in excess of the acid used or in tartaric acid.
The metal may be separated from organic substances by Marsh’s or Reinsch’s process.
Chloride of Antimony (Terchloride or Butter of Antimony) is a powerfully corrosive liquid. It produces violent inflammation and corrosion of the whole intestinal canal; occasionally also drowsiness, as from the use of a narcotic.
Dr. Taylor has collected the histories of four cases of poisoning by butter of antimony, three of which recovered. The fourth, in which a gentleman took from two to three ounces, proved fatal in ten hours and a half, after producing great prostration, nausea, violent griping pain, and tenesmus, followed by a tendency to sleep. On inspection, the whole of the inside of the alimentary canal was blackened, as if it had been charred; there was but little mucous membrane remaining, and the parts were much softened.
Treatment.—Magnesia must be administered in milk, together with the remedies recommended in poisoning by tartar emetic.