Kermes mineral
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173601577
2007-11-25T02:01:07Z
166.217.243.6
[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 173601393 by [[Special:Contributions/166.217.243.6|166.217.243.6]] ([[User talk:166.217.243.6|talk]])
{{Otheruses4|Kermes, the mineral compound|other references|Kermes}}
'''Kermes mineral''' or '''''Alkermes mineral''''' (Sb<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>) is a compound of [[antimony]] oxides and [[sulphides]], more specifically, antimony trioxide and trisulphide. This substance occurs in nature as the mineral [[Kermesite]]. It can be made or obtained in the laboratory by the actions of Potassium Carbonate (K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>) on antimony Sulphide. The compound is reddish brown in color and described as a velvety powder which is insoluble in water. It was used extensively in the medical field until the general use of [[antimony]] compounds declined due to toxic affects.
==History and Uses==
The name is derived from the word Kermes as denoting the compound’s red color. The origins of the term is from the [[French language|French]] ''kermès'', which is short for ''alkermès'', from the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] ''al-qirmiz'' a reference to [[crimson]] dye made from the bodies of insects (see [[Kermes (dye)]]). I was also known as [[poudre des Chartreux]] from a story of how it saved the life of a [[Carthusian]] monk in [[1714]]. Because of its reputation as a medication and heal-all (or [[panacea]]), the formula and production process for Kermes mineral was purchased by the [[France|French]] government in [[1720]]. Used for centuries in medicine as a health treatment, diaphoretic (causing sweat), anti-inflammatory and emetic it was used through the 19th century and its use extended to [[epilepsy]] treatment in addition to hectic fever.
==References==
*[http://webmineral.com/data/Kermesite.shtml Kermesite]
*[http://people.depauw.edu/bhanson/hutchings/HutchingsAntimony.pdf Paschal, Ashley and Prof. Bryan Hanson "Dr. William D. Hutchings, 19th Century American Medicine and the Use of Antimony Compounds: A Chemist’s Perspective" (pdf)]
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[[Category:History of chemistry]]
[[Category:Antimony minerals]]
[[Category:Sulfide minerals]]