Acetate of lead is one of the astringent remedies employed to arrest haematemesis. It is more especially adapted to the vomiting of blood which accompanies gastric ulcer. This salt exercises a favorable influence over the course and progress of gastric ulcer; it allays pain and local inflammation, and modifies the ulcerated surface. In chronic gastric catarrh with gastralgia and pyrosis, it has given great relief. Notwithstanding the chemical incompatibility, it may be advantageously combined with morphine in painful stomach-affections. The most frequent use of the acetate of lead in gastro-intestinal disorders is in the treatment of the various forms of diarrhoea. It is an excellent remedy in the summer diarrhoea of children.Rx Plumbi acetat., grs. viij; acid, acetic, gtts. vj; tinct. opii deodor., gtts. iv; aquae destil., oz j. M. Sig.: A teaspoonful every two, three, or four hours for a child two years of age. In choleraic diarrhoea, acetate of lead is one of the most useful astringents: Rx Plumbi acetat., grs, xxiv; pulv. opii, grs. xij; pulv. camphorae, 3 ss; sacch. alb., q. s. Ft. pulv. no. xii. Sig.: One powder every hour or two. It is sometimes preferable to administer the acetate of lead in solution, when the formula above given for children may be used in corresponding dose for adults. Probably, the most generally successful remedy for the diarrhoea of phthisis is a pill containing equal parts of acetate of lead and opium. The diarrhoea of typhoid may also be restrained by acetate of lead and opium; but generally bismuth is more suitable than acetate of lead. In acute and chronic dysentery lead is often a useful astringent. Enemata of lead and morphine (Rx Plumbi acetat., grs. iv; morphinae acetat., gr. ss; aquae fervid., oz j) allay the tenesmus of acute dysentery. Enemata of corresponding strength t6 age, of the same composition, are very useful in the cholera infantum of children.

Although the salts of lead undergo important chemical changes in the intestinal canal, and are probably very much modified in composition before they enter the blood, yet there is no doubt about their power to affect remote parts. The value of acetate of lead in various forms of haemorrhage has been attested by an immense clinical experience. Thus, in haemoptysis, it is a most useful haemostatic. Careful observations on a case of severe and protracted pulmonary haemorrhage demonstrated that five grains of the acetate, every three hours, exercised a remarkable influence over the arterial tension and the action of the heart. Its effects are similar to those of digitalis: it slows the action but increases the power of the heart, while at the same time it elevates the tension of the arterioles. The astringent is, however, a dynamical and not a chemical action, doubtless. There is, therefore, a fitness in the prescription of Oppolzer for caseous pneumonia: Rx Inf. digitalis, oz iv; plumbi acetat., Э j; tinct. opii, 3 j. M. Sig.: A table-spoonful twice a day. A similar combination is serviceable in haemoptysis: Rx Plumbi acetat., Эij; pulv. digitalis, Эj; pulv. opii, grs. x. M. Ft. pil. no. xx. Sig.: One every four hours.

By virtue of its astringent action acetate of lead restrains secretion, and hence its utility in bronchorrhoea. It is also serviceable in humid asthma and whooping-cough.

Formerly acetate of lead was used to quiet the action of the heart in hypertrophy, and to favor coagulation of the blood in the case of internal aneurism. It might often be usefully employed in these affections now.

In prescribing the preparations of lead for internal use, the danger of producing plumbism should not be overlooked. When it is used for any considerable period, the gums should be frequently inspected, and on the slightest appearance of a blue line, or on the occurrence of constipation and abdominal pain, the remedy should be at once discontinued

External Application of Lead Preparations

The uses of lead preparations for external diseases are numerous and important. An excellent application to burns is white-lead paint—carbonate of lead and linseed-oil. This may be objectionable when the surface is very large, lest a dangerous amount of absorption take place, but for burns of small extent it is safe and gives great relief. The surface of the burn is thickly coated with the paint. Lead-lotion (liquor phumbi subacetatis dilutus) is a good application to eczema when there is much weeping. The following ointment has been recommended in this affection: Rx Plumbi acetat., oz ss; camphor, pulv., grs. xv; ol. amyg-dal., oz ij; cerae flavae, oz j. M. Ft. cerat. An excellent formula for eczema, when there are great heat and redness, and profuse discharge, consists of liquor plumbi subacetatis, oz j; glycerinae, oz ss; and cherry-laurel water, oz iijss. The following formula is recommended by Fox in eczema and lichen: Rx Acid, nitrici dil., 3 ss; plumbi acetat., grs. v; aquae, oz vj. M. In erythema the carbonate of lead is used with advantage: Rx Plumbi carb., grs. iv; glycerinae, 3 j; cerat. simplicis, oz j. M. In impetigo the following: Rx Plumbi acetat., grs. xv; acid, hydro-cyan, dil., τη xx; alcoholis, oz ss; aquae, oz vss. M.

Lead lotions are much used to cure muco-purulent and purulent discharges from the ear, the vagina, and the urethra. They may be employed at any stage, and the existence of inflammation does not contraindicate their use. The following is a useful formula for gonorrhoea: Rx Liq. plumbi subacetat. dil., oz iv; zinci sulphat., grs. viij. M. Sig.: As an injection. A chemical change, of course, takes place, but clinical experience is in favor of the combination.

The ointment of the iodide of lead is often a useful application to enlarged lymphatic glands and to enlarged spleen. It is also employed with benefit in cases of chronic eczema, porrigo, and psoriasis.

A solution of the nitrate of lead in pure glycerin (grs. x— oz j) is an effective application to fissured nipples. It need hardly be remarked that the nipple should be well washed before the child is permitted to suck. Nitrate of lead in form of powder, dusted over the unhealthy granulations, gives great relief, and hastens the healing of onychia.

Authorities referred to:

Garrod, Dr. A. B. The Nature and Treatment of Gout, London, 1869.

Gusserow, Prof. Dr. Archiv fur pathologische Anatomie, xxi, 443.

Hermann, Dr. L. Lehrbuch der ezperimentellen Toxicologie, Bleisalze, p. 196, et seq.

Hirt, Dr. Ludwig. Die Krankheiten der Arbeiter, p. 92, et seq.

Nothnagel, Dr. Hermann. Handbuch der Arzneimittellehre, Blei-Praparate, p. 268, et seq.

Rosenstein, Prof. Dr. Archiv für pathologische Anatomie, xxxix, 1 und 174.

Schmidt's Jahrbücher der gesammten Medicin, vol. cxliv, p. 279. Mitlheilungen ueber Bleivergiftung, von L. Pappenheim; E. Clapton; A. Bobiene; E. Buchner; Alois Gruber; Stamm; Bucquoy; A. Gubler; Nicaise; E. Meyer; Murchison; Paleari; Pan-thiel.

Second Annual Report of the State Board of Health of Massachusetts, 1871, p. 21.

Tardieu, Ambroise. Dictionnaire d'Hygiéne publique et de Salubrité, deux. édition, tome troisiéme, p. 334.