Characters. - A greyish-white powder, fusible at a low red-heat.

Solubility. - It is insoluble in water, but readily dissolved by hydrochloric acid.

Reactions. - The solution, dropped into distilled water, gives a white deposit, at once changed to orange by sulphuretted hydrogen. It dissolves entirely when boiled with an excess of the acid tartrate of potassium.

Preparation. - By pouring solution of chloride of antimony into water and treating the precipitate of oxychloride with sodium carbonate.

Dose. - 1 to 4 grains.

Preparations

Uses - Oxide of antimony may be used for the same purposes as tartar emetic, but it is not soluble in water, and it depends very much on the state of the stomach how much of it will be dissolved. It is therefore less certain in its action than tartar emetic and the latter is consequently to be preferred. In consequence of its insolubility it is said to be slower and milder than tartar emetic, but this advantage is more than counterbalanced by its uncertainty.

James's powder is given as an antipyretic in fever and rheumatism. It is also given in chronic skin-diseases along with mercury.

Antimonium Tartaratum, B.P.; Antimonii et Potassii Tartras, U.S.P. Tartarated Antimony, Tartar Emetic, B.P.; Tartrate of Antimony and Potassium, U.S.P.