Dear Jason, Thank you very much for your information and citations! I agree that cobalt chloride is not a substance people should be ingesting. As you point, some organic compunds would be safer.
But Searle made the point repeatedly that colloids of metals can be much less toxic that dissolved ionic compounds or organic compounds. For example, colloidal gold is much less toxic than gold chloride, colloidal silver is much less toxic than silver chloride, colloidal mercury is much less toxic than mercuric chloride. (The colloid of mercury was actually used therapeutically in the early 20th century - until it was superceded by CS.) But I agree with you, these are things too dangerous for the layman to investigate. Thanks again, and best regards, Matthew
