COPPER SALTS 243 



extended, and more general astringent, antiseptic, tonic, or 

 irritant effects are produced. 



Copper salts are allied to those of zinc and silver, and some 

 of their actions also resemble those of iron, lead, and mercury. 

 The sulphate, nitrate, and other soluble salts have slight 

 action on the unbroken skin, but combine with albumin, and 

 hence const ringe and irritate the abraded skin and mucous 

 surfaces. When swallowed they irritate the stomach, pro- 

 ducing emesis in many animals. After exerting, according 

 to dose or state of concentration, astringent or irritant effects 

 on the alimentary mucous membrane, they are slowly 

 absorbed as albuminates, and as the still more soluble 

 peptonates. They are chiefly stored in the liver, to a less 

 extent in the kidneys and spleen. They probably unite 

 with various tissues, and modify their nutritive and functional 

 activity. Like many other metallic salts, they are excreted 

 slowly in the bile, in the mucus of the stomach and bowels, to 

 a slight extent in the sweat, but mainly in the urine. 



Copper in the metallic state is devoid of poisonous action. 

 Drouard gave ounce doses finely divided to dogs of different 

 sizes and ages, but none experienced any inconvenience. 

 If a double salt of copper (copper albuminate) is injected 

 into the blood-stream the specific effect of the metal is seen. 

 There is awkwardness and staggering gait, then paralysis of 

 locomotion, and finally of the heart and lungs. Thus copper, 

 like zinc and lead, paralyses the central nervous system, 

 and also has a direct toxic action on muscle. Given by the 

 mouth this typical action is not produced, for the drug is 

 absorbed too slowly. Two drachms of oxide caused in dogs 

 vomiting and diarrhoea. The more soluble salts are active 

 irritants. Dogs tolerate for a week or two daily doses of 

 10 to 15 grains of the sulphate, or acetate, but 40 to 60 

 grains induce loathing of food, diarrhoea, and in some 

 instances death by collapse. Cupreous poisoning also results 

 in cows, pigs, and dogs, from the use of food or drink boiled 

 in copper vessels, and allowed to remain in them while 

 cooling. Acid and fatty matters are most apt thus to be 

 contaminated, especially if long in contact with copper, and 

 exposed at the same time to air and moisture. The promin- 

 ent symptoms are, impaired appetite, constipation, alter- 



