COPPER. 55 



pared as the subcarbonate, with the addition of honey, which pre- 

 vents the absorption of oxygen ; colour bluish. Dose, .5 to 10 grains, 

 three times a day. 



Mistura Ferri Composiia^ made to imitate Griffith's Antihcctic 

 Mixture. Prepared by mixing together solutions of carbonate of 

 potash and sulphate of iron, with myrrh and spirits of lavender. Used 

 chiefly in amenorrhcea with dyspepsia. 



Fet-ri Sulphas — Sulphate of Iron — Green Vitriol, or Copperas. — 

 Prepared by action of dilute sulphuric acid on pure iron wire. 

 Colour, pale green; crystals, efflorescent, soluble; taste, styptic; fuses 

 when heated. Incompatihles — alkalies, alkaline earths and earths, 

 with their carbonates, and those soluble salts whose acids form 

 soluble salts with iron, and whose bases form insoluble sulphates ; 

 also tannin. It is the most astringent of the chalybeates, also the 

 most irritant. Applicable when small doses are required, best in 

 pill of the effloresced salt. Dose of the crystallized, 1 to 5 grains ; 

 of the dried, gr. ss. to grs. ij. 



Tinctura Ferri Chloridi — Muriated Tincture of Iron. — Made 

 by the action of muriatic acid on the subcarbonate, and then adding 

 alcohol. Colour, reddish brown ; odour, etherial ; taste, sour and 

 styptic. Used in affections of the urino-genital organs. An excel- 

 lent chalybeate. Dose, 10 to SOn:^:. Used externally as a stimulant. 



Other preparations of iron, less used, are the phosphate, tartrate 

 of iron and potassa, citrate, lactate, iodide, ferrocyanide, and ammo- 

 niated iron. 



Copper. — (Cuprum, U. S.) 



Though probably inert in the metallic state, yet being easily acted 

 upon by the acids of the stomach, it may prove poisonous when 

 swallowed in that state. Poisoning may also result from eating 

 articles cooked in copper vessels. The preparations of copper act 

 as tonics in very small doses, with an especial tendency to the ner- 

 vous system. Larger doses occasion irritation and inflammation of 

 the stomach. The best antidote for metallic copper is an antacid, 

 as magnesia. 



Cupri Sulphas — Sulphate of Capper — Blue Vitriol. — Prepared 

 by the action of sulphuric acid on metallic copper. Occurs in large 

 prismatic, blue crystals, efflorescent on exposure, soluble in water; 

 taste, very styptic ; fuses when heated ; incompatihles, the same as 

 of iron. 



Effects on System. — Small doses are astringent and tonic ; larger 

 doses vomit; still larger are poisonous. The best antidote is albu- 

 men. 



Used as a tonic in obstinate ague, and in chronic dysentery ; also, 

 in epilepsy, chorea, and hysteria. Dose, ^ grain two or three times 

 a day. (jseful as an external application, in solution, to spongy 



