Argentum Colloidale.—Collargolum is possessed of the most valuable properties. This preparation is an allotropic modification of metallic silver, and is soluble in water and albuminous fluids generally. When introduced by inunction or hypo-dermatically, or by application to wounded surfaces, or when swallowed, it enters the vascular system, the blood, and lymphatics, and becomes an active germicide or antitoxic agent. Although so diffusible, permeating all parts of the tissues, it seems never to induce argyria.

Collargolum, or soluble metallic silver, occurs in the form of hard pieces, having a somewhat metallic luster. The dose for internal administration in pill form is 1/2 to 1 gr. The gastro-intestinal catarrhs, tuberculosis of the intestine, infectious entero-colitis, and other septic states, are successfully treated by this remedy. It may also be employed subcutaneously in the proportion of 1 to 200 parts of distilled water, repeated once or twice a week.

As a topical agent, it may be used in surgical diseases, wounds, injuries, and in cases of septic decomposition. Wherever diseases— either pure or mixed infectious—are caused by the staphylococcus, the streptococcus, and other forms of low organisms, this remedy is effective in a high degree.

Unguentum Crede is the proprietary form in which this remedy is now offered to the medical public. Rubbed into the skin, collargolum diffuses readily into the lymphatics and blood, acting powerfully on septic processes. It is recommended that three grammes be used for adults. The remedy should be applied by inunction to the thoroughly cleansed skin for twenty or thirty minutes. Where inunctions are not feasible, collargolum should be given in pill form, made up with sugar of milk and some glycerin and water. It is also recommended in solution, thus: Rx Argenti colloid (Crede), 0·5 or 2; distilled water, 50 to 200 grammes; egg albumin, 0·5 to 2.

Of this a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful is to be taken with a glass of water or a cup of tea a quarter to a half an hour before meals.

These methods in pill or solution—are said to be especially applicable to the chronic infectious, general tuberculosis, gonorrhoeal rheumatism, gonorrhoea, etc.

For subcutaneous injection, a solution of argentum colloidale—1 to 200 of distilled water—of which one half to two syringefuls (seven to thirty grains) are to be given in one or several places according to the size of the lesion. Very little pain is caused by the injection. It is to be repeated once a week or once in two weeks.

Collargolum is also used in bougie form for the treatment of infectious fistulae, uterine, and urethral diseases. The mass is made of sugar of milk, gum, albumin, and glycerin, molded into the desired shapes. Each bougie may contain three grains of the medicament. Collargolum may also be dissolved in sterilized water (seven to fifteen grains to the pint of water) and used as a topical application, or as a rectal enema by the addition of some albumin.

The extraordinary claim is made that the various applications containing the soluble silver diffuse into the system by the lymph stream, preventing all growth of the staphylococci and streptococci. The evidence as furnished by Prof. Crede and his friends seems to justify the claims they have put forth.

That such results are possible may be held, seeing that the actions of mercury are similar, and that the metallic mercury and mer- curial salts thus diffuse through the lymph channels.