456 METALS—THE NOBLER.
—in
its properties—the nearest of all metals to the precious ones ; whilst
Tin is precisely the metal which was chosen by the Arabian Alchemists
as a starting-point in their search for the Gold-making Philosopher's
Stone,—their Chrysopeia.
Tin
may be rolled, or hammered into foil; moreover it is so brittle that it
may be readily reduced to powder. When alloyed with Copper it
constitutes Bronze. To powder Tin the Metal is first fused, and
afterwards triturated in a hot Iron mortar while it cools. Tin filings
have been ordered as a remedy for tape-worm since the time of
Paracelsus. " But," says Kuchenmeister, " once for all I protest
against the administration of Tin filings ; and I am convinced no one
can give the same with any pleasure who has witnessed the painful
irritation of the intestine after its having been taken by living
animals, or has heard them whining, or seen them writhing because of
the agonising mechanical presence within them of the rough insoluble
mass." " Meanwhile a harmless, and even agreeable practice is pursued
in several rural districts of France, which effectually answers the
desired purpose of thus exterminating the tape-worms, that of giving
sweetened wine which has been kept for twenty-four hours in a Tin
vessel."
Powdered
Tin acts when applied externally as an astringent, even as a caustic if
used to excess ; furthermore it has become in some instances
productive of convulsive attacks when topically employed for covering
raw sores.
As
is commonly known, Tin has a peculiar odour when rubbed, or handled. In
the mass it does not disorder the bodily functions; but when acid,
fatty, saline (saltish), and even albuminous (as flesh-meat, or fish)
