CUPRI SULPHAS—COPPER SULPHATE—BLUE VITRIOL—BLUE STONE
Derivation.—Boil metallic copper and sulphuric acid together. Dissolve product in hot water and crystallize.
Properties.—Large, transparent, deep blue, triclinic crystals; odorless, of a nauseous, metallic taste; slowly efflorescent in dry air; soluble in water; almost insoluble in alcohol.
Dose.—Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 dr.; sheep and pigs, 20 to 40 gr.; dogs, 1 to 2 gr.
As a tonic and astringent, repeat two or three times daily; given either in capsule or in some mucilagenous solution, or in powder form, with some inert substance; when given as a tonic should be given at time of feeding, or right after eating.
Actions.—Gastro-intestinal irritant, astringent, tonic, emetic in large doses; acts directly on the stomach; antiseptic and vermifuge.
Uses.—Internally used as emetic, antidote for phosphorus, atony of the bowels, diarrhoea, especially combined with dilute sulphuric acid opium; is supposed to prevent the development of farcy and glanders in exposed animals. Used externally as a caustic and stimulant; styptic, also used for foot-rot; for granular eyelids, touch lightly over the granular surface with the sulphate of copper.
DIGITALIS—FOXGLOVE
The dried leaves of Digitalis purpurea Linne (Fam. Scrophulariaceae), collected from plants of the second year’s growth, at the commencement of flowering.
Habitat.—Foxglove grows wild in the temperate parts of Europe, where it flowers in the middle of summer. In this country it is cultivated for ornamental and for medical use.