tartar emetic

American  

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white, water-soluble, sweet and metallic-tasting, poisonous powder or granules, C 4 H 4 KO 7 Sb, used as a mordant for dyeing textiles and leather, and in medicine as an expectorant, for inducing vomiting, and for infections by schistosomes.

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tartar emetic British  

noun

1. another name for antimony potassium tartrate

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Etymology

Origin of tartar emetic

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

In those days, the only available cure was tartar emetic, a compound of antimony that was administered as 12–16 injections given once a week.

From Nature

Physicians were even to be found, of high station and character, who contended that cholera is a species of fever, and to be treated by an emeto-cathartic composed of tartar emetic and epsom salts.

From Project Gutenberg

The antimonial preparations that are now most in use are antimonial wine and tartar emetic.

From Project Gutenberg

He gave the fact, he said, to Small, in exchange for his receipt for tartar emetic, because the commerce of philosophy as well as other commerce was best promoted by taking care to make returns.

From Project Gutenberg

Millions of people were treated with intravenous injections of tartar emetic, before an oral drug replaced this standard of care across the country in the 1980s.

From Nature