COMPOUND POWDER OF ANTIMONY.

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Kermes antimonii consists of 2 equivalents of sesquisulphuret of anti-mony and 1 equivalent of sesquioxide of antimony (consequently it has thesame composition as red antimony ore), and commonly contains alsofrom 1 to ly per cent, of alkali combined with sesquioxide of antimony.By continued washing with water the liypo-antimonite of potash andsesquioxide of antimony may be extracted, leaving the sesquisulphuretonly. (Liebig, Handworterb. d. Chemie , i. 427.) Golden sidphuret ofantimony is the persulphuret of antimony, and consis'ts of 1 equivalent ofantimony and 2y equivalents of sulphur.

Purity. —Recently precipitated oxysulphuret of antimony is readilyand completely soluble in liquor potass:?:: but the oxysulphuret of theshops leaves a white residuum. Boiled in hydrochloric acid, it is dis-solved with the evolution of hydrosulphuric acid gas : the solution isopalescent or slightly milky, but becomes quite transparent on the addi-tion of a small quantity of nitric acid. It should not effervesce withdilute sulphuric acid.

Physiological Effects. —The medicinal activity of this preparationis principally or wholly owing to sesquioxide of antimony ; and as thequantity of this is probably inconstant, the preparation is uncertainin its operation. The obvious effects are precisely analogous to thoseof emetic tartar; namely, vomiting, purging, and sweating. In smalldoses it is employed as an alterative, expectorant, and diaphoretic :in somewhat larger doses it causes nausea and sweating, and some-times vomiting: in still larger quantities it excites both vomiting andpurging. (For some experiments and observations on the action of Kermesmineral and the golden sulphuret, consult Rayer, in Diet , de Med. et Chir.Prat. iii. 57, et seq.)

Use. —It is principally employed as an alterative in chronic diseases,particularly cutaneous affections, glandular enlargements, secondarysyphilis, rheumatism, and diseases of the liver. In these complaints it isusually associated with mercurials (especially calomel) and sometimeswith guaiacum or narcotics. Kermes mineral has been employed asan antiphlogistic in inflammatory affections of the respiratory organs,and sometimes as an emetic.

Administration.— As an alterative the dose is from one to three orfour grains : as an emetic from five grains to a scrapie. It is a consti-tuent of the pilules hydrargyri chloridi composites, Ph . L. (chloride mer-cury ; oxysulphuret of antimony, aa 3ii.; guaiacum resin, powdered, Sss.;treacle, 3ii.) commonly termed Plummer’s pill, the dose of which is fromfive to ten grains.

Antidotes.- —Vide Potass.e Antimonio-tartras.

Pid'vis Antimo’nii Compos’itus. — Com’pound Pow'der of An! timony.

History. —Hr. James, who died in 1776, prepared a celebratedpatent medicine, long known as the fever powder of Dr. James (pulvisfebrifugus Jacobi), or Dr. James’s Powder (pulvis Jacobi). The dis-covery of it was subsequently claimed for a German of the name ofSchwanberg (Affidavits and Proceedings of W. Baker, Lond. 1754). Thespecification which Dr. James lodged in the Court of Chancery is soambiguously worded, that we caimot prepare his powder by it. Hence