GONORRIICEAL RHEUMATISM.—It has been claimed that this drug is eminently serviceable in the management of gonor rhceal rheumatism, but that it must also be given in very small doses and per sisted in for some length of time; also that colchicum may be advantageously connected therewith. But the rationale of the foregoing has never been eluci dated.
SKIN DISEASES.—Externally the drug has been recommended in the treatment of chronic skin diseases, notably psori asis, lepra, lupus, etc., but its value therein is decidedly problematical, ex cept for its antiseptic and stimulating effects. Also it has recently been re vised as a dressing for chronic and in dolent ulcers, though its value here is no greater than—if as good as—that of many balsamic resins.
COPPER.—Copper is a metal that in its pure state appears to exercise little or no effect upon the human economy, but acts as an irritant poi son in combination with acids, no matter whether the combination is effected within or without the body. Food cooked in copper utensils that are not kept constantly polished in their in terior, by dissolving a portion of the metal, and converting it into salts, proves highly toxic; like transformations oc cur through the secretions by inhaling or otherwise absorbing fine particles, as, for instance, in coppersmith's and brass maker's disease. In medicine its chief value is as a base for the formation of salts. It forms two oxides, red and black, known, respectively, as cuprous and cupric, the latter alone being em ployed therapeutically.
Preparations and Doses.—Copper ace tate, normal, 1/„ to 1/0 grain.
Copper aluminate, mild caustic only. Copper and ammonium sulphate (am moniated copper), 1/4 to 3 grains.
Copper arsenate, 1/„ to 7, grain. See ARSENIC.
Copper arsenite, 7124 to V, grain. See ARSENIC.
Copper benzoate, external use only. Copper bichromate, caustic only. Copper bromide, 1/„„ to 1/8 grain. Copper carbonate, 1 to 6 grains.
Copper chloride, 1/i, to V, grain. Copper diacetate (subacetate), external use only.
Copper iodide, 1/30o to 1/100 grain. Copper nitrate, Ili, to V, grain.
Copper oleate, external only.
Copper oxide (black), 1/4 to 1 1/2 grains.
Copper penta sulphate, in technical use only.
Copper phosphate, 1/, to V, grain. Copper salicylate, external use only. Cupratin, 1 to 4 grains.
Cuprein. See CINCHONA.
Heta Copper.—Though pure metal lic copper is generally held to be inert per se, it is sometimes employed in chole raic maladies, colic, and seizures of like character. The virtues, whatever may exist, most assuredly must arise from the chemical change that takes place within the body; probably a chloride is formed there.
Copper Acetate.—Normal copper ace tate is by no means the basic acetate, and the latter finds only technical applica tion. The former, known also as verde gris, and crystallized verdegris, if pure, is obtained in conglomerations of large, dark-g,reen crystals; has a metallic taste and acetous odor; melts at 328° F.; is decomposed by water; soluble in water and alcohol. It requires to be kept well stoppered.
Ammoniated copper, or more properly copper and ammonium sulphate, appears in the form of a dark-blue, crystalline powder, freely soluble in water, and is regarded as an astringent and. antispas modic remedy.
Copper arsenate varies in its form and composition; it should appear as a blue powd.er, and is freely soluble only in acids; it is little employed, but at one . time held high rank as an alterative and antisyphilitic.
Copper arsenite (ortho-arsenite of cop per, or Scheele's green) is a pale- or yel lowish- green, amorphous powder, soluble in alkaline solutions, slightly soluble in water, and claimed to be antispasmodic and also an intestinal antiseptic. See ARSENIC.
Benzoate of copper is made up of light blue, crystalline plates or needles, though it is sometimes obtained in powder. It finds no employment at all by way of the stomach.
Copper bichromate is a deliquescent, brown, crystalline salt that requires to be always Kept in a closely-stoppered bot tle; it is soluble in water and. in alcohol, and of but little use at all except for its caustic action.