Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume I Part 52

Native trisulphide of antimony treated in this way and ground to powder const.i.tutes the BLACK ANTIMONY (ANTIMONIUM NIGRUM), B. P.

=Antimony, Trisulphide of= (artificially prepared). Saturate an aqueous solution of tartar emetic with hydrosulphuric acid; an orange precipitate will be thrown down. This precipitate, when collected on a filter, washed, and dried, is the pure trisulphide.

_Prop., &c._ (_Native._) Anhydrous, inodorous, insipid, opaque, brittle, easily pulverisable, and of a dark leaden-grey or steel colour; it has a striated crystalline texture, and breaks with a rough spicular fracture; is insoluble in both water and alcohol; soluble, with decomposition, in hot strong acids and alkaline solutions; melts at a red heat, and is partly dissipated in white fumes, leaving an impure grey-coloured oxide mixed with some undecomposed tersulphide (ANTIMONY-ASH). Its powder is black, of peculiar richness, and stains the fingers. Sp. gr. 46 to 462.

The pure precipitated (amorphous) tersulphide is of orange colour; is darkened by a gentle heat, with loss of water, and at a higher temperature pa.s.ses from the amorphous to the crystalline condition, at the same time that it a.s.sumes the colour and appearance of the native sulphide. It dissolves in hot hydrochloric acid, evolving hydrosulphuric acid, and producing a solution of trichloride of antimony.

_Pur._ The crude commercial sulphide frequently contains lead, iron, copper, and a.r.s.enic, and sometimes manganese. Its goodness is commonly estimated by its compactness and weight, the largeness and distinctness of the striae, and the volatility of its sulphide.

_Uses, &c._ Chiefly as a source of metallic antimony, and of the oxide in the preparation of other antimonials. Exhibited alone, it possesses little activity unless it meets with acid in the primae viae, when it occasionally acts with considerable violence both as an emetic and cathartic.--_Dose_, 10 to 30 gr., in powder; as an alterative and diaph.o.r.etic in rheumatism, gout, scrofula, and glandular affections, and in lepra, scabies, and some other skin diseases. It is a favourite alterative in _veterinary medicine_, particularly in skin diseases. Farriers and grooms frequently mix a little of it with the food of horses to improve their coat and promote their 'condition,'--_Dose._ For a HORSE, 1 to 4 _dr._, in fine powder, often combined with nitre and sulphur; for CATTLE, 1/2 to 1 _oz._, or even 1-1/2 _oz._; DOGS, 5 or 6 to 20 or 30 gr.; HOGS, 20 to 30 gr., twice or thrice daily. According to Dr Paris, it is one of the ingredients in Spilsbury's Drops. It is also an ingredient in Tisane de Feltz.

=Antimony, Tartarated.= KSbOC_{4}H_{4}O_{6}.Aq. _Syn._ TARTARIZED ANTIMONY, TARTAR EMETIC, EMETIC TARTAR, POTa.s.sIO-TARTRATE OF ANTIMONY, Eng.; ANTIMONIUM TARTARATUM, B. P. _Prep._ Various methods have been devised for the preparation of this compound, but the following, which is taken from the 'British Pharmacopia,' is to be preferred:--

Take of oxide of antimony 5 _oz._, acid tartrate of potash in fine powder 6 _oz._, distilled water, 2 pints. Mix the oxide of antimony and acid tartrate of potash with sufficient distilled water to form a paste, and set aside for 24 hours. Then add the remainder of the water, and boil for a quarter of an hour, stirring frequently. Filter, and set aside the clear filtrate to crystallise. Pour off the mother-liquor, evaporate to one third, and set aside, that more crystals may form. Dry the crystals on filtering paper at the temperature of the air.

_Char. and Tests._ In colourless transparent crystals exhibiting triangular facets, soluble in water, and less so in proof spirit. It decrepitates and blackens upon the application of heat. Its solution in water gives with hydrochloric acid a white precipitate, soluble in excess, and which is not formed if tartaric acid be previously added. Twenty grains dissolve without residue in a fluid ounce of distilled water at 60, and the solution gives with sulphuretted hydrogen an orange precipitate which, when washed and dried at 212, weighs 991 grains.

_Phys. eff., Doses, &c._ Externally tartar emetic acts as a powerful local irritant, causing a pustular eruption, which permanently marks the skin; for this purpose it is used in the form of solution, ointment, or plaster.

Internally, in small doses (1/16 to 1/8, or even 1/6 gr.), it acts as a diaph.o.r.etic and expectorant; in somewhat larger doses (1/6 to 1/2 gr.) it excites nausea, and sometimes vomiting, occasioning depression and relaxation, especially of the muscular fibre; in larger doses (1 to 2 or 3 gr.) it acts as an emetic and sudorific (and often as a purge), depressing the nervous functions, and producing a feeling of feebleness, exhaustion, and relaxation, greater than that caused by other emetics; in certain doses (1/2 to 3, or even 4 gr.), it is used as a sedative and antiphlogistic, to reduce the force of the circulation, _&c._; in excessive doses it acts as an irritant poison, and has in some instances caused death; and even small doses, frequently administered and long continued, have brought on a state of weakness, prostration, and distaste for food, which has led to a fatal termination. It is usually exhibited dissolved in distilled water, either with or without the addition of a little simple syrup. In acute rheumatism, inflammation of the lungs or pleura, ch.o.r.ea, hydrocephalus, and apoplexy, it is said to have been given in doses of 2 to 4, or even 6 gr., with advantage, by Laennec, Rasori, and others; but these extreme doses are not always safe, and cannot be commendable when smaller ones (1/4 to 1/2 gr., repeated every two hours) appear equally beneficial, and distress the patient less.[73] In doses of 1/2 gr. to 3/4 gr. each, combined with calomel, it is a powerful and excellent alterative in acute rheumatism and many skin diseases. Of all our sudorifics it is perhaps the most valuable, and the one most generally available. Triturated with 16 to 20 times its weight of sulphate of pota.s.sa, it forms an excellent subst.i.tute for antimonial powder and James's powder, as a diaph.o.r.etic, in doses of 2 to 4 gr.

[Footnote 73: "In consequence of the violent vomiting" (and it might be added--prostration) "which (even) 1 gr. has sometimes produced, I have found patients positively refuse to continue the use of the medicine."

Pereira 'Th. & M. M.,' 4th ed., i, 752.]

Whenever much gastric or intestinal irritation is present, tartar emetic should be avoided, or very cautiously administered, and then combined with an opiate, or some other sedative. It should also be given with caution to children; as, according to Messrs Goodlad and n.o.ble, even in small doses it sometimes acts as a poison on them.

In _veterinary medicine_ it is employed to promote diaph.o.r.esis and expectoration, and to reduce arterial action, particularly in fevers, and catarrhal affections, the dose for HORSES being 20 gr. to 1 dr., or even occasionally _1-1/2_ dr., in gruel, thrice daily; also sometimes as a diuretic and vermifuge, in doses of 1 to 2 dr., combined with tin-filings, for 2 or 3 successive days, followed by a purge of aloes. The usual dose for CATTLE is 20 gr. to 1 dr.; SHEEP, 5 or 6 to 20 gr.; SWINE (chiefly as an emetic), 2 to 5 or 6 gr.; DOGS (chiefly as an emetic), 1 to 3 gr. It is sometimes, though seldom, used externally, as a counter-irritant, in chest affections, &c.; but its employment thus requires caution.

_Pois., &c._ That from large doses has been already noticed under ANTIMONY (which _see_). In poisoning the treatment is the entire disuse of all antimonials, followed by tonics, a light nutritious diet, the use of lemon-juice or ripe fruit, a little wine, warm baths, and mild restoratives generally.

=Antimony, Tar'tarised.= See ANTIMONY, TARTARATED.

=Antimony, Vit'rified.= See ANTIMONY, GLa.s.s OF.

=ANTI-MIASMATIc.u.m.= A disinfecting powder, manufactured first in Berlin in 1866, and described as "prepared by steam." Quicklime slaked with a solution of sulphate of iron and mixed with turf ashes, also probably containing some carbolic acid. Fluid anti-miasmatic.u.m is a solution of sulphate of iron in impure acetic acid. (Hager.)

=ANTIPHLOGIS'TIC= (-flo-jis'-). _Syn._ ANTIPHLOGIS'TICUS, L.; ANTIPHLOGISTIQUE, Fr.; ANTIPHLOGISTISCH, Ger. In _medicine_, the common epithet of remedies, agents, and treatment (ANTIPHLOGIS'TICS; ANTIPHLOGISTICA, L.), which lessen inflammatory action, or allay the excited state of the system which accompanies it. Of these the princ.i.p.al are bleeding, purging, a low diet, cooling beverages (as water and acidulous drinks), and sedatives generally.

=ANTIPSILOTHRON=, for preventing loss of hair (Hegewald, Berlin). A brownish-yellow, clear, pleasant-smelling liquid, which consists of a filtered extract of 25 grms. of nutgalls, with 50 grms. strong spirit and 30 grms. water; perfumed with several ethereal oils. The liquid is not made turbid by dilution with water. Sold in square bottles containing about 80 grms. The directions strongly recommend the supplementary use of a Swiss "vegetable oil," which probably Switzerland has never seen.

(Hager.)

=ANTI-RHEUMATIC DROPS= (Roll, Amsterdam). A turbid, dark-brown liquid, which consists of a solution of spirituous extract of aconite in a decoction of couch-gra.s.s root, and to which some tincture of opium with saffron and oil of valerian have been added.

=ANTI-RHEUMATIC SALVE, Mrs HUNGERFORD'S= (Wedecke, Berlin). Recommended for acute and chronic rheumatism, gout, and nervous pains. Camphor, 1 grm.; carbolic acid, 1 grm.; simple cerate, 12 grms. (Schadler.)

=ANTIs...o...b..'TIC= (-skor-bu'-). _Syn._ ANTIs...o...b..'TICUS, L.; ANTIs...o...b..TIQUE, Fr.; ANTIs...o...b..TISCH, GUT WIDER DEN SCHARBOCK, Ger. Good against scurvy. In _medicine_, an epithet of remedies, agents, &c.

(ANTIs...o...b..'TICS; ANTIs...o...b..'TICA, L.), used in scurvy. Lemon-juice, ripe fruit, milk, the salts of pota.s.sa, green vegetables, potatoes, meal-bread, fresh meat, and raw or lightly boiled eggs, belong to this cla.s.s.

=ANTISEP'TIC.= _Syn._ ANTISEP'TICUS, L.; ANTISEPTIQUE, Fr.; ANTISEPTISCH, FaULNISSWIDRIG, Ger. An epithet of substances, agents, &c. (ANTISEP'TICS; ANTISEP'TICA, L.), that impede, arrest, or prevent putrefaction. The princ.i.p.al antiseptics in common use are culinary salt, saltpetre, spices, sugar, vinegar, carbolic acid, creasote, and alcohol; to which may be added intense cold, desiccation, and the exclusion of air. Among ANTISEPTIC MEDICINES, bark, dilute acids, quinine, wine, spirits, camphor, charcoal, and yeast, take the first rank. See PUTREFACTION, SOLUTIONS (Antiseptic), &c.

=ANTISPASMOD'IC= (-spaz-). _Syn._ ANTISPAS'TIC; ANTISPASMOD'ICUS, L.; ANTISPASMODIQUE, Fr.; KRAMPESTILLEND, Ger. In _medicine_, an epithet of substances and agents (ANTISPASMOD'ICS; ANTISPASMOD'ICA, L.) which allay spasms and convulsions. It is frequently incorrectly applied to anodynes and narcotics, which soothe pain, but do not repress muscular spasm.

Ammonia, a.s.saftida, bark, camphor, castor, chalybeates, chloral hydrate, chloroform, ether, Indian hemp and cannabine, musk, opium, saffron, and valerian, with many other similar substances, are regarded as antispasmodics.

=ANTI-SPASMODIC SYRUP=, for hooping-cough (Dessaga, Strasburg). A pleasant syrup, leaving a slightly sharp taste, containing a little carbonate of potash, and faintly coloured with rosaniline. (Hager.)

=ANTISUDIN=, a remedy for sweaty feet (Mandowski, Annaberg). Powdered alum. (Hager.)

=ANTS= (ants). See ANT, FORMIC ACID, GARDENING, INSECTS, &c.

=AORT'A= [L., Ger.] _Syn._ AORTE, Fr. In _anatomy_, the main trunk of the arterial system, arising immediately from the left ventricle of the heart, and giving origin to all the other arteries of the body, except the pulmonary artery and its ramifications, which permeate the air-vesicles of the lungs.

=AP'At.i.tE= (-t.i.te). In _mineralogy_, native tricalcium phosphate (phosphate of lime). It is found in Devons.h.i.+re and Cornwall, and abundantly in Spain, whence it is imported for use as manure, and recently particularly for the manufacture of ARTIFICIAL GUANO. Its powder phosph.o.r.esces on burning coals. It differs from phosphorite in not containing fluorine.

Apat.i.te (phosphate of lime of similar const.i.tution to bone-earth, Ca_{3}(PO_{4})_{2}) is found in every fertile soil, and of which it is an essential ingredient.

=APE"RIENT= (a-pere'-e-ent; -per'-, as marked by Mayne and Smart, though etym. correct, is less usual). _Syn._ APER'ITIVE (-tiv); APER'IENS, L.; APeRITIF, Fr.; ABFuHREND, oFFNEND, Ger. In _medicine_, opening, laxative, gently purgative; usually applied as an epithet to substances and agents (APE'RIENTS; APERIEN'TIA, APERITI'VA, L.) which, in moderate doses, and under ordinary circ.u.mstances, gently, but completely, open the bowels; and in this respect rank between the simple laxatives on the one hand, and the stronger purgatives and cathartics on the other. Among these may be named as examples--Aloes (when combined with soap or aromatics), Castile soap, castor oil, compound extract of colocynth (in small doses), compound rhubarb pill, confection of senna, cream of tartar, Epsom salts, Glauber's salt, phosphate of soda (tasteless purging salt), pil. rufi, seidlitz powders, cold-water compress over the abdomen, &c. Several of these, in larger doses, become active purgatives or cathartics. See PURGATIVES, also DRAUGHTS, MIXTURES, PILLS, &c.

=A'PIOL= (-pe-ole; or -ol). _Prep._ The soft alcoholic extract of parsley-seed is either digested or agitated for some time with ether; after sufficient repose in a cool place, the ethereal solution is decanted, and the ether removed by distillation; the residuum is purified by solution in rectified spirit, and agitation first with a little litharge, and next with animal charcoal; after which the spirit is removed by distillation from the filtered solution.

_Prop., &c._ A yellow, oily, non-volatile liquid, having a peculiar smell, and a highly disagreeable taste; soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform; insoluble in water; and coloured red by strong sulphuric acid.

Sp. gr. 1078. In small doses it excites the pulse and nervous system; and in larger ones it causes headache, giddiness, vertigo, &c. It is said to be powerfully febrifuge, and has been highly extolled by MM. Joret and Homalle as a subst.i.tute for quinine in intermittents.[74] It has also been found useful in intermittent neuralgias and the nocturnal sweats of phthisis. _Dose_, 5 to 15 drops, in capsules.

[Footnote 74: According to Drs G. O. Rees and A. S. Taylor, 66 out of 116 cases were cured by it in their practice; but according to the French Commission, the cures are only 42%, and in many of these only temporary.]

=A'PIS.= [L.] The bee. In _entomology_, a genus of hymenopterous insects of the family _anthoph'ila_ or _mellif'era_, section _apia"riae_.

(Latreille.) The mouth has two jaws, and a proboscis infolded in a double sheath; the wings are four; the two foremost covering the hinder ones when at rest. The s.e.xes are three--prolific females or queens, unprolific females or workers commonly (termed neuters), and males or drones. The females and working bees have a sting. The honey or hive bee is distinguished from the other species of this genus by having the femora of the posterior pair of legs furnished with a smooth and concave plate on the outer side, and fringed with hair, forming a basket or pocket for the reception and conveyance of the pollen of plants; and also in being dest.i.tute of spines at the extremity. The Linnaean genus includes nearly 60 species. See BEE.

=Apis Mellif'ica.= [Linn.] The honey bee.

=APLANAT'IC.= In _optics_, applied as an epithet to lenses, of which the figure, as well as the materials of which they are composed, are such that, with a given index of refraction, the amount of aberration, both chromatic and spherical, is insignificant, or the least that can be possibly obtained. See ABERRATION, ACHROMATISM, LENS, &c.

=APLOTAXIS AURICULATA.= Nat. ord., COMPOSITae. A plant growing in the North Western Himalayas. It was first shown by the late Dr Hugh Falconer to be the source of the _Costus Arabicus_ of the ancients, which Dr Royle had previously identified with the _Patchuck_ or _Koot_ root met with in the Indian bazaars. Dr Irvine states that formerly, when opium was not produced in Rajwarra, this root was extensively smoked as a stimulant. He adds, that it is said to be a narcotic when thus used, and that formerly great quant.i.ties went to China for smoking purposes. It is chiefly used as a perfume, as for protection of bales of cloth against insects.

=APO-.= [Gr.] In _composition_, from; denoting derivation, separation, opposition, or departure. It is a common prefix in words from the Greek, and is etymologically the same as the latin _ab-_.

=APOC'NYINE= (-pos'-e-nin). _Syn._ APOCYNI'NA, L. A bitter, crystallisable substance, found in _apo"cynum cannabi'num_ (Linn.), or the Indian hemp of North America. See ALKALOID.

=APOMORPHINE.= _Syn._ APOMORPHIA. C_{17}H_{17}NO_{2}. A remarkable base, obtained from morphia by Matthiessen and Wright. It is possessed of powerful emetic properties. Introduce into a strong gla.s.s tube, closed at one end, 1 part of pure morphia, and 20 parts of pure hydrochloric acid; these should not occupy more than one fifteenth of the tube. Seal the open end, and place the gla.s.s tube in another of cast iron, closed with a screw, and heat the whole in an oil-bath at a temperature between 140 and 150 C., during three hours. After cooling, the morphine has been converted into apomorphine, which can be purified as follows:

The tube is opened, and the liquid it contains diluted with water and neutralised by bicarbonate of soda; then an excess of this salt being added, the apomorphine is precipitated with any morphia that may remain.

The liquid is decanted, and the precipitate is exhausted with ether or chloroform, which dissolves the apomorphine only. To the ethereal or chloroformic liquor are afterwards added a few drops of hydrochloric acid to saturate the base. Crystallised apomorphine then separates spontaneously, and is deposited on the sides of the vessel. These crystals are washed rapidly with cold water, and purified by crystallisation from boiling water. The apomorphine can be obtained by precipitating a concentrated solution of this hydrochlorate by bicarbonate of soda; the precipitate is white, but turns green rapidly in the air. It should be washed with a little cold water, and promptly dried to avoid this alteration.

=AP'OPLEXY= (-pleks-e). _Syn._ APOPLEX'IA, APOPLEX'IS, L. (from ap?-p??ss?, I astound, or strike down, Gr.); APOPLEXIE, Fr.; SCHLAGFLUSS, Ger. A disease so named on account of the suddenness and violence of its attacks.

_Symp._ Sudden suspension or loss of the powers of sense and motion; the heart continuing to beat and the lungs to act, but generally with difficulty. During the fit the patient usually lies in a state resembling sleep, or the stupor induced by drunkenness. In some cases there is paralysis of one side of the body, and convulsions of the other. In the sanguineous or sthenic variety, or the one which is most common, the pulse is hard and full, the countenance flushed and bloated, and the breathing stertorous; in the serous or asthenic variety, the pulse is feeble, the skin cold, and the countenance pale. "The presence of convulsions is indicative of great danger." (Dr Cheyne.) In both cases the patient is generally found lying on his back, in a state of complete insensibility, which defies every effort to arouse him; the eyelids almost cover the eyes, which are fixed and devoid of intelligence, whilst the pupils scarcely change their dimensions under the varying influence of light and darkness; the lips are usually purple or very dark; and both the lips and nostrils have generally a slight trembling movement communicated to them by the deep and laborious breathing of the patient.

_Treat._ In this disease, more than perhaps any other, medical aid should be immediately sought. In the mean time the patient should be placed in an easy posture, in a well-ventilated apartment, and in the sanguineous or sthenic variety, in as erect a position as possible; but in the asthenic variety, when the face is pale, with the head and shoulders only moderately elevated. The neckcloth should be removed, and the clothes loosened, and the head and neck laid bare. Crowding round the patient should be particularly avoided, and a free exposure to fresh air secured in every possible way. When medical aid cannot be immediately procured, blood should be freely taken (say 15 to 20 fl. oz., or more) from the arm, by any person competent to do so; unless the face be pale, and the pulse feeble, when cupping at the back of the neck, or leeches behind the ears, should be subst.i.tuted for ordinary bleeding. Cold water should be dashed on the head, the legs placed in pretty warm water, and blisters or mustard poultices applied between the shoulders. In the mean time 8 or 10 gr. of calomel may be administered, and its action subsequently promoted by the use of saline purgatives and stimulating clysters. When there is a difficulty of swallowing, a couple of drops of croton oil may be applied to the tongue; or it may be poured on sugar, before placing it in the mouth. Indeed, this mode of relieving the bowels should be adopted in all extreme cases, as soon as possible. Emetics should be carefully avoided.

The only exception to this rule is, when the stomach is distended by a heavy undigested meal; when an emetic is hazarded as the less of two evils. Nasal stimulants, as smelling salts or aromatic vinegar, should also be avoided. If the bleeding has not afforded some relief, it may be repeated in from 3 to 5 hours. When these means prove successful, the remainder of the treatment may consist in the administration of mild purgatives and diaph.o.r.etics, and the avoidance of stimulating food or drinks, and of other like exciting agents.

_Prev., &c._ The premonitory symptoms of apoplexy are giddiness, pain and swimming in the head, loss of memory, faltering in speech or using one word for another, diminished sensibility either of body or mind, or both, drowsiness, noises in the ears, specks floating before the eyes, nightmare, frightful dreams, laborious respiration, heavy yet unrefres.h.i.+ng sleep, an inclination to sigh without any moral cause, cramp in the legs at night when there is no irritation of the bowels to account for them, &c. &c. When any of these symptoms occur (especially in "free livers") aperient medicines and a light diet should be at once had recourse to, and wine, beer, and spirits avoided as the most dangerous poisons. If the symptoms increase or continue, active purgation, a still lower diet, and even bleeding may be had recourse to. Pure air, early rising, regular habits, gentle muscular exercise, and loose, easy clothing, are powerful preventives of apoplexy. By attending to the admonitions of nature, and adopting the simple means which are within the reach of all, it is indisputable that many fatal cases of apoplexy might have been avoided, and a still larger number lessened in severity.