COPPER SULPHATE 187 



Derivation.— Boil metallic copper and sulphuric acid 

 together. _ 2 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; slowlv ef- 

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

 insoluble in alcohol; reaction acid. 



Incompatibles.—MmeTal salts (except sulphates), alka- 

 lies and their carbonates, iodides, lime water and vegetable 

 astringents. 



Dose.—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 SULPflATE. 



External— -Goppev sulphate precipitates protein in 

 ■ solution and is stimulant, astringent or caustic to mucous 

 membranes or raw surfaces, according to the strength ap- 

 plied. 



Internal. — In poisonous doses copper sulphate causes 

 salivation, vomiting, gastro-enteritis, and nervous symptoms 

 (convulsions, paralysis and delirium), and finally death from 

 collapse. When injected intravenously copper salts lead to 

 destruction of the blood, and fatty degeneration of the liver, 

 kidneys and heart. Rarely does absorption from the digest- 

 ive tract cause poisoning since the salt is either vomited, or 

 absorbed too slowly, . or stored in the liver. The treatment 

 consists in emptying the stomach in animals which cannot, 

 or do hot, vomit, and the use of magnesia, tannin or yellow 

 prussiate of potash, as antidotes ; and demulcents, as milk 

 and white of egg, together with opiurri. Large doses are 

 emetic to the dog, but should not be used except in phosphorus 

 poisoning. ■ Smaller doses are astringent in the digestive 

 tract. The copper absorbed from the alimentary tract lodges 

 in the liver, kidneys and thyroid gland. It is eliminated 

 slowly in the urine, bile, intestinal secretions, saliva and 

 milk. Copper is a normal constituent of the tissues and has 

 a strong affinity for hemoglobin attaching itself, on absorp- 

 tion, to the corpuscles as cuprohemol. 



Uses external. — ^Copper sulphate is employed in the 

 solid, crystalline form in granular conjunctivitis, by rub- 

 bing the stick over the affected surfaces of the lids. 



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