=Silver.=—The most important salt of this metal is the _nitrate_. Locally, in concentrated form, the latter is a caustic; in dilute form it is a sedative, astringent, and antiseptic. Internally, in small doses, silver nitrate is useful as an astringent and antiseptic in inflammatory and ulcerative conditions of the stomach and bowel. The prolonged use of the drug, even in small doses, is followed by a permanent grayish discoloration of the skin (argyria) from the precipitation of the metal in the tissues. Toxic doses of silver nitrate cause burning pain in the abdomen, vomiting of white, curdy matter, and bloody purging. The _dose_ of silver nitrate is from ⅙ to ½ of a grain (0.01-0.3 gm.), usually in pill form. Several combinations of metallic silver with albumin are much used as antiseptics and astringents in inflammatory diseases of mucous membranes. They have advantage over silver nitrate in being less irritating and in not being decomposed by the juices of the tissues. The most important of these organic compounds are _protargol_ and _argyrol_. They are usually applied in solutions of from 1 to 10 per cent. A soluble form of metallic silver is also employed in the form of 15 per cent. ointment, known as _Credé’s ointment_. It is recommended as an antiseptic in various infectious diseases. =Spartein.=—This is an alkaloid from the broom plant. It is used to some extent as a heart tonic and diuretic in _doses_ of from ¼ to ½ grain (0.015-0.03 gm.). =Strophanthus.=—This is the seed of a climbing plant growing in Africa. Its action very closely resembles that of digitalis, for which it is sometimes substituted. The _dose_ of the _tincture_ (Tinctura Strophanthi) is from 3 to 10 minims (0.2-0.6 c.c.). =Sulphonal.=—This artificial compound is used almost entirely as a hypnotic. In single doses it is comparatively safe and reliable, but slow in its action. Languor, headache, and drowsiness not infrequently follow its use. The repeated administration of sulphonal over several days or weeks is distinctly dangerous, being often followed by chronic poisoning. The latter is marked by a red coloration of the urine, colicky pains, profound depression, weakness, and collapse. The _dose_ of sulphonal is from 10 to 30 grains (0.6-2 gm.). It is best given in hot tea or hot milk, one or two hours before bedtime.