copper. -267 



and in cases where the- stomach has been paralyzed by narcotic 

 poisons, in doses of from two to fifteen grains, dissolved in water. 

 It has also been employed as an astringent and tonic in dysentery, 

 intermittent fever, chorea, epilepsy, and some other spasmodic 

 affections. In these cases it is sometimes combined with opium, 

 to prevent the nausea and vomiting which it is apt to excite. As 

 a tonic it should be given in the form of a pill, in a dose of half a 

 arain twice or thrice a day, increasing it gradually as far as two 

 grains. Externally, sulphate of copper is used as an cscharotic to 

 destroy fungus, and in solution is applied with advantage to give a 

 healthy stimulus to foul indolent ulcers. This salt, dissolved with 

 alum in water, is sometimes employed as a styptic to restrain 

 external haemorrhages, and a very dilute solution is sometimes used 

 as an astringent injection ; sometimes as a collyrium in the puru- 

 lent opthalmia of children. 



Subacetate of Copper, JErugo, Ph. L. D. Suhacetas Cupri, 

 E. — This salt, commonly called verdigris, is prepared by covering 

 copper-plates with the husks of the grape after the juice has been 

 expressed. These plates, with the interposed husks, being occa- 

 sionally moistened with water, are left at rest for fifteen or twenty 

 days, at the end of which time the vegetable matter passes into 

 fermentation, and a portion of acetic acid is formed. In this pro- 

 cess the copper is oxidized, and the oxide combined with a portion 

 of the acetic acid, forming a subacetate. The crust of this is scraped 

 off, and beat into masses, which are dried by a gentle heat. By 

 dissolving in distilled vinegar, and evaporating the solution, the 

 subacetate is obtained in a crystalized mass of a deep blueish- 

 green colour. It is inodorous, and has an austere metallic taste. 

 Boiling water, according to Dr. Urc, dissolves one-fifth of the salt, 

 of which it deposits the greater part on cooling. It is also soluble 

 in alcohol. Its specific gravity is 1*78. The subacetate of copper 

 has been administered internally, as a tonic, in epilepsy, in a dose 

 of half a grain. In large doses, as from one to two grains, it has 

 been given as an emetic in incipient phthisis ; but for this purpose 

 it is inferior to sulphate of zinc, and is therefore now seldom pre- 

 scribed. Externlly it is occasionally employed by surgeons as an 

 escharotic ; and mixed with an equal quantity of powdered can- 



