Tartar Emetic

Tartar Emetic is a salt of tartaric acid, C₄H₆O₆, in which one atom of hydrogen is replaced by potassium and another by oxide-radical of antimony (SbO). It thus possesses the formula C₄H₄O₆K (SbO). It is easily soluble in boiling water, and considerably less so in cold water. It crystallises in shining rhombic forms of composition 2C₄H₄O₇KSb + OH₂, but the crystals on exposure lose their water of crystallisation and fall to a white powder. It is prepared by boiling antimony oxide with water and cream of tartar. Its solution has a peculiar taste, and the componnd is used to an extent medicinally as an emetic and sudorific, [TARTARIC ACID.]