Anti-arthritic compositions comprising s-heterocyclic derivatives of phosphine or phosphite gold mercaptides and methods of producing anti-arthritic activity

A pharmaceutical composition having anti-arthritic activity, in dosage unit form, comprising a pharmaceutical carrier and an effective but nontoxic amount of a compound of the formula:

• ##SPC2##
• in which:
• R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, phenyl or phenoxy, with each alkyl or alkoxy having from one to three carbon atoms;
• X is S, NH, NCH.sub.3 or O;
• R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are hydrogen or together form a 1,2-benzo radical;
• and
• indicates an optional double bond.