134 INORGANIC AGENTS 



Heavy Metals: Including Aluminum, Cerium, Plumbum, Argentum, 



Zincum, Cuprum, Bismuthum, Ferrum, Manganum 



and Hydraryyrum. 



Aluminum. 



(The metal is not used as medicine. ) 

 Alumen. Alum. AlK (SO,), + 12 H^O (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Alumen purificatum, B. P., potassium alum, aluminum and potas- 

 sium sulphate, sulphate of aluminum and potassium, E. ; alun, sulphate d'alumine 

 et de potasse, Fr. ; alaun, kalialaun, G. 



Derivation. — From alum slate, clay, shale, or schist, a native mixture of alu- 

 minum silicate and iron sulphide. This is roasted and exposed to the air, when 

 the sulphur is oxidized into sulphuritj acid and combines in part with aluminum 

 and iron to form sulphates. The mass is lixiviated with water, and aluminum 

 and iron sulphates together with sulphuric acid are recovered in solution. The 

 solution is concentrated and to it is added potassium chloride. The double sul- 

 phate of potassium and aluminum (alum) is formed, which crystallizes out on 

 cooling, while potassium sulphate and ferric chloride remain as by-products. 

 Alum is purified by recrystallization. 



Properties. — Large, colorless crystals, crystalline fragments, or as a white 

 powder; alum is odorless and has a sweetish and strongly astringent taste. Solu- 

 ble in 7.2 parts of water. It is freely soluble in glycerin; insoluble in alcohol; 

 reaction acid. 



Incompatibles. — Iron, lead and mercury salts, alkalies, lime, tartrates and 

 tannic acid. 



Dose.^H. & C, 3ii-iv, (8-15); Sh. & Sw., gr.xx-5i, (1.3-4); D., gr.v-x, (.3-.6) ; 

 emetic, D., 3i, (4). 



Alumen Exsiccatum. Dried Alum. AlK(SO,)2. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Synonym. — Alumen ustum, P. G. ; burnt alum, E.; alun calclnfi (dessfichfi, 

 brulS), Fr.; gebrannter alaun, G. 



Derivation. — Heat 100 Gm. of alum moderately until aqueous vapor ceases 

 to be disengaged, and the product is reduced to 55 Gm. 



Properties. — A white, granular powder, without odor, possessing a sweetish, 

 astringent taste, and attracting moisture on exposure to air. Soluble very slowly 

 and incompletely in 20 parts of water; insoluble in alcohol. Reaction acid. 

 Alumen and alumen exsiccatum may be either potassium or ammonium alum, 

 AlNH4(SOi)2 + 12H20, which closely resembles potassium alum in physical prop- 

 erties and appearance. 



Alumini HYDEoxiDnM. Aluminum Hydroxide. Al (OH)3. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Aluminum hydrate, hydrated alumina, E.; hydrate d'alumine 

 Fr.; thonerdehydrat, reine thonerde, G. 



Derivation. — Alum, 100 Gm. ; monohydrated sodium carbonate, 45 Gm. ; water, 

 a sufficient quantity. Mix hot, boiling solutions of alum and sodium carbonate. 

 Precipitate strained, washed and dried. 



Properties. — A white, bulky, amorphous powder; odorless and tasteless; per- 

 manent in dry air; insoluble in water or alcohol. 



Dose. — Same as alum. 



Aluminum Salts. 



Action External. — Dried alum is a superficial caustic, in contact with 

 raw surfaces, on account of its affinity for water. It is only used exter- 

 nally. Alum has no action on unbroken skin, but applied to mucous 

 membranes or denuded parts it is antiseptic and astringent; coagulates 

 albumin of discharges ; precipitates or coagulates albumin of the tissues ; 

 squeezes blood out of the vessels; reduces inflammation and makes the 

 part whiter, tougher and denser. Alum is a hemostatic, stopping bleed- 



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