ARGENTUM DIVISUM
\ɑːd͡ʒˈɛntəm dɪvˈɪsəm], \ɑːdʒˈɛntəm dɪvˈɪsəm], \ɑː_dʒ_ˈɛ_n_t_ə_m d_ɪ_v_ˈɪ_s_ə_m]\
Sort: Oldest first
-
Metallic silver, in very fine powder, has been recommended internally in syphilis. At first, these different preparations were administered iatraleptically on the gums; the chloride, the cyanide and the iodide in the dose of l-12th of a grain; the chloride of silver and ammonia in the dose of l-14th of a grain, and the oxide of silver and divided silver in the dose of l-8th and l-4th of a grain. M. Serre, of Montpellier, who made many trials with them, soon found that these doses were too small; he therefore raised that of the chloride to 1-10th, and of the iodide to l-8th of a grain, without any inconvenience resulting. The dose of the other preparations was likewise increased in a similar ratio. M. Serre extols the preparations of silver-used internally as well as iatraleptically-as antisyphilitics, but they are not to be depended upon. In the last edition of the Pharmacopoeia, (1851,) it is directed to be prepared as follows: -Nitrate of Silver, dissolved in distilled water, is put into a tubulated glass receiver; Ferocyanuret of Potassium, dissolved in distilled water, is put into a tubulated retort, previously adapted to the receiver. Dilute Sulphuric Acid is added to the solution in the retort; and, by means of a sandbath and a moderate heat, distillation is carried on until the liquid that passes over no longer produces a precipitate in the receiver. The precipitate is then washed with distilled water, and dried. The Oxide of Silver, Argenti Oxidum, has bpen introduced into the last edition of the Ph. U. S. (1851). It is made by precipitating a solution of the Nitrate of Silver by solution of Patassa, drying the precipitate.
By Robley Dunglison