Silver nitrate, also known as lunar caustic or lapis infernalis, may cause toxicity when administered internally.
· It occurs as colorless rhombic crystal and its solution has a styptic metallic taste with acidic reaction. silver nitrate is used externally by doctor as styptic and a destroyer of exuberant granulation and warts
· It is also used in photography, silver plating and is a chief ingredient of indelible ink and hair dye. Silver proteinate are colloidal silver compound which are used in ophthalmic practice
· When administered orally it causes severe pain in throat as well as stomach and induces severe vomiting. The vomited matter is flaky white but turns black when exposed to light. Two grams of silver nitrate may cause death in few hours.
· In case of toxicity, stomach should be washed with milk mixed with sodium chloride in a proportion of 15 gram in 500 ml of milk. Water works as antidote and should be given because it forms insoluble silver salt. The demulcent and purgative should be given to the patient after recovery along with therapy for shock.
(Contributed by Dr Sudhir Gupta)
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