COPPER ACETATE 247 



oedema of the legs, and as an astringent in ill-conditioned 

 ulcers and inveterate grease. 



COPPER ACETATE. Cupri Acetas. Cupri subacetas. Verdi- 

 gris. ^Erugo. 



Copper subacetate may be prepared by subjecting plates 

 of copper to the vapour of acetic acid. It occurs either in 

 amorphous masses or powder, is blue or green, according to 

 the mode of preparation, and has the taste and odour of 

 a copper salt. It remains unchanged in air ; when heated, 

 it gives off water, acetic acid, and acetone, leaving a residue 

 of oxide and metal. 



ACTIONS AND USES. The acetate, like other copper salts, 

 is an irritant poison, emetic, antiseptic, astringent, and tonic, 

 but is rarely prescribed internally. It is used externally as a 

 caustic, stimulant, astringent, and antiseptic. 



Drouard exhibited 12 grains of the subacetate to a strong 

 dog fasting, and observed aversion to food, efforts to vomit, 

 diarrhoea, listlessness, and death in twenty- two hours. 

 Paralysis of the hind extremities was also observable in some 

 cases, but in none was the stomach much inflamed. Cupric 

 acetate is still more active. Orfila found that 12 to 15 

 grains given to dogs, produced besides gastric irritation, 

 convulsions, tetanus, sometimes insensibility, and death 

 within an hour. The toxic dose for the horse is two ounces. 

 Hertwig records that one ounce administered to a horse 

 caused colic, with acceleration of the pulse ; and that two 

 ounces, given some hours after, aggravated these symptoms, 

 causing first acceleration and then depression of the pulse, 

 debility, and, after six hours, convulsions and death. Pre- 

 scribed internally, the doses of the acetate are the same 

 as those of the sulphate. The external uses are also the 

 same. It is applied in the form of solution or ointment, 

 the latter made with one part of the salt to eight or ten 

 of lard or of resin ointment. A useful dressing for foot- 

 rot in sheep is made with one part of acetate to three or 

 four parts of lard, oil, or tar. Liniment of Verdigris, or Mel 

 ^Egyptiacum, is made with 9 ounces of verdigris, 6 ounces of 

 alum, and 1J Ibs. of honey, or treacle, heated together over 



