XXV Copper and its Preparations
Poisoning with copper salts is rare. The most important are the sulphate, subacetate, and arsenite.
Sulphate of Copper (bluestone, blue vitriol) in half-ounce doses is a powerful irritant. Has been given to procure abortion.
Subacetate of Copper (verdegris) occurs in masses, or as a greenish powder. Powerful, astringent, metallic taste. Half-ounce doses have proved fatal.
Symptoms.—Epigastric pain, vomiting of bluish or greenish matter, diarrhœa. Dyspnœa, depression, cold extremities, headache, purple line round the gums. Jaundice is common. A chronic form of poisoning may occur, with symptoms closely resembling those of lead.
Post-Mortem Appearances.—Inflammation of stomach and intestines, which are bluish or green in colour.
Treatment.—Encourage vomiting. Give albumin or very dilute solution of ferrocyanide of potassium.
Method of Extraction from the Stomach.—Boil the contents of the stomach in water, filter, pass hydrogen sulphide, filter, collect precipitate and boil in nitric acid, filter, dilute filtrate with water and apply tests. In the case of the solid organs, dry, incinerate, digest ash in hydrochloric acid, evaporate nearly to dryness, dilute with water, and test.
Tests.—Polished steel put into a solution containing a copper salt receives a coating of metallic copper. Ammonia gives a whitish-blue precipitate, soluble in excess. Ferrocyanide of potassium gives a rich red-brown precipitate. Sulphuretted hydrogen gives a deep brown precipitate.