Basic lead acetate, also known as subacetate of lead, is the inorganic compound with the formula Pb₃(OH)₄(O₂CCH₃)₂. A white solid, it is one of several lead acetates.

History

Goulard's extract is a solution of lead(II) acetate and

lead(II) oxide Lead(II) oxide, also called lead monoxide, is the inorganic compound with the molecular formula Pb O. It occurs in two polymorphs: litharge having a tetragonal crystal structure, and massicot having an orthorhombic crystal structure. Modern ...

used as an

astringent An astringent (sometimes called adstringent) is a chemical that shrinks or constricts body tissues. The word derives from the Latin '' adstringere'', which means "to bind fast". Astringency, the dry, puckering or numbing mouthfeel caused by t ...

during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. It was named after its introducer, Thomas Goulard.

Lead poisoning Lead poisoning, also known as plumbism and saturnism, is a type of metal poisoning caused by lead in the body. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, irritability, memory problems, infertility, numbness and paresthesia, t ...

and the development of more effective astringents caused doctors to abandon its use. Synonymous or very closely related formulations were known as ''liquor plumbi subacetis dilutus'', ''eau de Goulard'', extract of

Saturn Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter. It is a gas giant, with an average radius of about 9 times that of Earth. It has an eighth the average density of Earth, but is over 95 tim ...

, vinegar of Saturn, and liquid acetate of lead. The white water ''eau de Saturne'' differed from ''eau de Goulard'' in not containing alcohol, but was often confused with it. Goulard's Extract was a primary ingredient in both Goulard's Cerate and Goulard's Water.

References

{{reflist History of pharmacy Lead(II) compounds