ARGONIN. — Argonin is a soluble silver-albumin salt prepared by mixing sodium-casein with silver nitrate and adding alcohol until precipitation occurs.
Argonin appears as a fine white pow der, soluble in hot water, but slightly so in cold.
Physiological Action.—When applied locally it is non-irritant and does not coagulate the albumin of the tissues. Like argentamin, it is regarded as pos sessed of considerable antiseptic value.
When administered hypodermically the symptoms of metallic poisoning ap pear more quickly than with the nitrate, which may be due to the peculiar com bination of the metal.
Therapeutics.—It may be used where silver nitrate is indicated; but, up to present writing, definite clinical data are wanting to establish its comparative value. It has been used with success in gonorrhoea and tried in gonorrhoeal ophthalmia. In the latter affection it did not seem to be more effective than silver nitrate. The price of the drug is such, however, that it can hardly be had generally.
In gonorrhoea Jadassohn recommended that it be used in the form of a solution of 1 parts of argonin to 100 of water. Of this solution 2 7, drachms are in jected five times a day, the fluid being retained in the urethra for five minutes after each injection.
Used with great success in 72 eases of males and 15S females. The urethritis in both sexes rapidly subsides during its use, and the patient is more speedily re stored by this treatment than by any other drug extant, as the gonococci are destroyed between two and six days. Bender (Med. Press and Circular, Aug. 12, '96).
Argonin employed in ninety cases of gonorrhoea, eighty being acute. Used in 5-per-cent. solution by the patient as a hand injection, the fluid being held in the urethra five minutes after each in jection. Conclusions: 1. It is absolutely unirritating and can be used in solutions of from 1 to 10 per cent.
2. In the great majority of cases it lessens the discharge very rapidly.
3. Its use is generally followed in a short period by a disappearance of the gonococci.
4. This disappearance of the gono coccus is not in all cases permanent; in other words, there is in quite a large proportion of cases a distinct tendency to relapse, with reappearance of gonococci.
5. It possesses distinct value as a hand injection in the stationary period of the disease, but is of very little benefit in the mucous stage, or stage of decline.
6. It produced no results in the treat ment of chronic anterior urethritis. Christian (Ther. Gaz., July 15, '97).
Personal use of argonin failed to show any advantage it has over other drugs. C. F. Marshall (Treatment, Jan. 27, '93).
In gonorrhoeal ophthalmia occurring in the adult argonin not found as beneficial as the silver-nitrate treatment usually employed. Kalish (N. Y. Med. Jour., Apr. 9, '98).
Thirteen eases of purulent ophthalmia in infants treated with argonin. Three of these had been treated in this way from earliest time of inflammation, and had been cured in 7 days. In the other case the average duration had been 13 days. A carefully prepared 3-per-cent. solution of argonin had been used. A minim dropper having been inserted deep under the eyelid, enough of the solution should be instilled to thoroughly irrigate the eyelids twice and, later, once in the twenty-four hours. Between these ap plications the lids were kept constantly clean with boric-acid solution. Fifteen grains of argonin contain as much silver as a grain of the silver nitrate. No neutralizing agent was required after its use. Horace Bigelow (N. Y. Med. Jour., Apr. 9, '93).