242 ZINC ACETATE 



ordered to be used in the proportion of one pint to five 

 gallons of water. 



ZINC ACETATE. ZinciAcetas. Acetate of Zinc. Zn(C 2 H 3 2 ) 2 

 3H 2 0. 



Zinc acetate is prepared by neutralising acetic acid with 

 zinc carbonate. It crystallises in colourless, odourless, 

 pearly plates, which have a sharp, disagreeable, metallic 

 taste, and are soluble in 2- 5 parts of water. 



ACTIONS AND USES. The acetate closely resembles the 

 sulphate. It is an emetic and nerve tonic, but is seldom used 

 internally. Externally, as a stimulant and astringent it 

 dries excessive serous discharges, relieves erythema, eczema, 

 and impetigo, as well as conjunctivitis and other superficial 

 inflammations. Tuson recommended a solution for saturat- 

 ing at short intervals the wash-leather bandages applied to 

 the jarred, swollen legs of hunters. According to the pur- 

 pose for which it is required, forty grains to an ounce are 

 dissolved in a pint of water. 



DOSES. Horses and cattle, 3J- to 3ij- \ dogs, grs. ii. to 

 grs. v. 



COPPER AND ITS MEDICINAL SALTS 



Copper (Cu) is a brilliant red metal, found native near 

 Lake Superior in North America, crystallised in octahedrons 

 or cubes. It has a specific gravity of 8*95, a nauseous 

 styptic taste, and unpleasant odour, especially when rubbed. 

 The principal copper ores are pyrites, which is a double 

 sulphide of copper and iron, and the carbonate or malachite. 

 Its chief officinal salts are the sulphate, nitrate, iodide, and 

 acetate. Copper forms two series of salts, the cuprous and 

 oupric, the latter the more stable, and, when hydrated, 

 having a green or blue colour. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Salts of copper, like those of other 

 heavy metals, form sparingly soluble albuminates. In 

 virtue of their combining with the albumin of the tissues, 

 they are antiseptic, astringent, irritant, and caustic. When 

 they are absorbed, these topical effects are more widely 



