174 INORGANIC AGENTS 



Interned. — Zinc sulphate is the best and most prompt 

 emetic for dogs in many conditions, as poisoning. It should 

 be given in tepid water. Zinc oxide is occasionally pre- 

 scribed in diarrhoea, and empirically as a tonic and anti- 

 spasmodic in chorea and epilepsy. It has also been 

 recommended for its remote astringent action, to prevent 

 excessive sweating and profuse bronchial secretion. Zinc 

 oxide may be given in powder, pill, dr dissolved in alkaline 

 solutions. 



Cuprum. 



(Copper is not used in tJie metallic state in Medicine.) 



CuPRi Sulphas. Copper Sulphate. Cu So^ + 5 B.fi. 

 (U.S.&B.P.) 



Synonym.— Cupric sulphate, blue vitriol, blue stone, 

 sulfas cupricus, cuprum vitriolatum, E.; cuprum sulfuricum 

 purum, P. G.; vitriol bleu, sulfate de Cuivre, Fr.; kupfer vit- 

 riol, blauer-vitriol, schwefelsaures kupfer (kupferoxyd), G. 



Derivation. — Boil metallic copper and sulphuric acid 

 together. CU, + 2 H, SO, = 2 CUSO, + 2 H,. Dissolve 

 product in hot water and crystallize. 



Properties. — Large, transparent, deep blue, triclinic 

 crystals; odorless, of a nauseous, metallic taste; slowly 

 efflorescent in dry air ; soluble in 2.6 parts of water ; almost 

 insoluble in alcohol ; reaction acid. 



Incompatihles. — Mineral salts (except sulphates), alkalies 

 and their carbonates, iodides, lime water and vegetable 

 astringents. 



i>ose.— H. & C, 3i.-ii. (4.-8.); Sh. & Sw., gr.xx.-xl. 

 (1.3-2.6); D., gr.i.-ii. (.06-.12); Emetic, D., gr.vi.-xx. (.36-1.3). 



ACTION OF COPPER SULPHATE. 



External. — Copper sulphate is stimulant, astringent or 

 caustic to mucous membranes or raw surfaces, according to 

 the strength applied. 



