Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) is prepared by treating pure silver with pure diluted nitric acid, with crystallization. The salt should be kept in dark, amber-colored bottles, away from light.

Evaporate a drop of the aqueous solution on the hand.............................................................................................

Evaporate another drop on a porcelain dish.............................................................................................................................

Incompatibilities: Practically everything.

Silver Nitrate is an efficient prophylactic for ophthalmia neonatorum, I drop of a 1 % solution being placed in each eye of the newly-born infant. It is of great service in the purulent conjunctivitis of adults. In general local application it is an efficient germicide; caustic in stronger solutions. Internally, it is somewhat rarely used in low forms of gastritis and in gastric ulcer. Dose, 0.01 Gm.

Other official salts of Silver are: Argenti nitras fusus, containing 94.5% AgNO3 (lunar caustic); argenti oxidum, an unequal substitute for the nitrate.