ZlNCUM. 67 



In the intestines copper is an astringent in small quantities, 

 an irritant purgative in larger quantities. Small doses, com- 

 bined usually with opium, are given for some kinds of diarrhoea. 



2. ACTION IN THE BLOOD. 



Given in small doses, copper is absorbed into the blood ; but 

 we neither know any effect that it produces here, nor use it in 

 this connection. 



3. SPECIFIC ACTION AND USES. 



The specific action of copper on the tissues is most difficult 

 to evoke, as anyone can testify who has watched a large number 

 of persons working in brass and copper. It is said to weaken the 

 voluntary muscles and heart, and to affect the nutrition of the 

 central nervous system ; whence it was formerly used in con- 

 vulsions and spasmodic diseases, including epilepsy, chorea, and 

 hysteria. This treatment is now almost obsolete. It is be- 

 lieved by some to be a specific astringent to the uterus. 



4. REMOTE LOCAL ACTION. 



Copper is chiefly excreted by the liver, that is, leaves the 

 body with the bile and faeces ; part is discharged in the urine, 

 and part by the saliva. No special advantage is taken of its 

 elimination by these channels. 



ZINCUM. ZINC. 65. 



Zi ti mill Oramilatum. Made by pouring fused 

 zinc into cold water. 



From Zincum Granulatum are made : 



a. Zinci Ch}oridum. Chloride of Zinc. ZnCLj. 



Source. Made by dissolving Zinc in Diluted Hydro- 

 chloric Acid, and evaporating ; Chlorine Water and Car- 

 bonate of Zinc being used in the process, to precipitate 

 iron or tin present as impurities. 



Characters. Colourless rods or tablets, very de- 

 liquescent, and caustic. Solubility, 10 in 4 of water, 

 freely in rectified spirit and ether. 



Impurities. Sulphates, iron, and calcium. 



J>. Liquor Zinci Chloridi. 



Source. Made as above, without evaporation. 

 Characters. Colourless. Used externally only. 



c. Zinci Sulphas. Sulphate of Zinc. ZnSO 4 ,7 H < >. 

 Source. Made from Zinc and Sulphuric Acid, like 

 the Chloride, with the same precautions. 



