Case of copper poisoning apparently due to the handling of vines that had been treated on three or four occasions with applications of a solution contain ing copper. Danet (Le Bull. 1116d., '97).
It is only in acute conditions that poisoning by copper salts can occur, and then it is not a question of true poison ing, but of a gastro-intestinal irritation analogous to that which is produced by a common caustic. Very exceptionally are serious symptoms of poisoning ob served, as the organism has the greatest tendency to free itself from substances which possess emetic properties. Galippe (Nouv. Benikl., July 8, '97).
Method of testing copper salts for coloring green pease: Green pease were boiled in a solution of copper sulphate until they had absorbed all the copper in the solution. Then fresh pease were boiled in water for the same length of time. Next a few of the colored pease and a few of the uncolored were boiled for three minutes in a 10-per-cent. solu tion of sulphuric acid. Each sample was then poured out on ft hite saucer. The pulp of the colored pease as well a their skins always retained the green color after this test in a degree which was proportionate to the quantity of copper present, while the pease that had not been colored turned a brownish or gray ish black. By this method so small a quantity, as 0.025 gramme of copper in a kilogramme of pease was detected. A. V. Nikitine (Vratch„ Mar. 11, 1900).
Symptoms of greatest value in the recognition of copper poisoning are (1) dyspepsia, whieh is the earliest of all symptoms; (2) anaemia, which eomes on before emaciation, loss of strength, and the rather characteristic painful facial expression; (3) nervousness and irritability. H. A. Kurth (Med. Record, Nov. 10, 1900).
Treatment of Copper Poisoning.—Al bumin and milk- form an insoluble com pound with copper salts, provided they are in large excess. They should be pre ceded by prompt evacuation of the stom ach, but the stomach-pump is of little avail when the salt is in coarse particles.
Vomiting may be prompted by copious draughts of warm water, etc., and lavage may serve an excellent purpose. Ferro cyanide of iron is also recommended to be given to form an insoluble copper cyanide; the hydrated succinate, the pro tosulphuret and hydrate oxide, and pro tosulphuret have also been employed. Opium is usually necessary to allay (rastro-intestinal irritation and relieve pain.
Any antidote to be of avall must be given at once and act quickly. Milk and eggs are almost always at hand, and are the most efficacious antidotes. No time should be lost in attempting to separate the yelk from the white of the egg, but the egg should be broken into a bowl as quickly as possible, a little water added, and the whole stirred up and exhibited. The dose should be re peated several times, especially when there is vomiting. Soap or fixed alkali may be given. Tbe yellow prussiate of potash, when pure, is harmless, and pre cipitates instantly an insoluble com pound of copper from solutions of its salt; when it is to be had in time, it may, therefore, be used .s an antidote to the sulphate. H. C. Wood ("Princ. and Prac. of Therap.," '94).
As Emetics.—Copper salts act as emet ics without causing much depression of the nervous system, but the sulphate is invariably preferred, since the doses and its cheapness render it more manageable and convenient.
Copper sulphate is more irritating and less prompt as an emetic than the zinc sulphate, and when administered with out effect it is best not to repeat it. Stevens ("Manual of Therap.," '94).
To empty the stomach in case of poisoning, make ten powders of a mixt ure of 30 grains of copper sulphate and 120 grains of white sugar (powdered sugar), and give a powder every ten minutes until vomiting is produced. Roth ("Mod. Mat. Med.," '95).
Therapeutics.—The copper prepara tions have had a varied and checkered reputation as remedial agents, and have been tried, chiefly on empirical grounds, in a large number of maladies.