paut iij» Metallic: Preparations. — Copper.

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PREP AR AT A E CUPRO.

Preparations of Copper.

iERUGO PRiEPARATA, Dub. Prepared Verdegris.

" Let the verdegris be reduced to powder, and the moresubtile parts be separated in the manner directed for the pre-paration of chalk."

Syn. Vert-de-gris (F.), Griinspan (G.), Acetato di Rame (/.), Cardenillo ( S. ).

By this process the subacetate of copper is obtained in astate of very minute mechanical division, better fitted for in-ternal use, in the cases for which it is sometimes prescribed.(See JErugo, Part ii.)

CUPRUM AMMONIATUM, Lond. Ammoniated Copper.

" Take of sulphate of copper, half an ounce ; subcarbonateof ammonia, six drachms. Rub them together in a glass mor-tar until the effervescence cease; then wrap up the ammo-niated copper in bibulous paper, and dry it with a gentleheat."

Ammoxiaketum Cvpri, Edin. Ammoniuret of Copper.

" Take of pure sulphate of copper, two parts s subcarbonateof ammonia, three parts. Rub them thoroughly together in aglass mortar, until all effervescence is finished, and they unitein a violet-coloured mass, which wrap up in bibulous paper,and dry, first on a chalk stone, and afterwards with a gentleheat. Let it be preserved in a well-stopped glass phial."

Cuprum ammoniatum, Dub. Ammoniated Copper.

" Take of sulphate of copper, an ounce ; carbonate of am-monia, an ounce and a half. Rub them in an earthenwaremortar, until all effervescence having ceased, they unite intoa mass, which is to be dried, wrapped up in bibulous paper,and preserved in a phial closed with a glass stopper."

Syn. Sthwefelsaures Kupfer mit Ammonium ( G.), Ammoniuro di Rame (7.)

The product of these processes is either a triple salt, a sub-sulphate of oxide of copper and ammonia, or a mixture onlyof subsulphate of copper, and subsulphate of ammonia':but the former is the more probable state of the compound,from the difference of capacity which it has for water being sogreat as to render the resulting mass extremely moist. Duringthe trituration, the sulphate of copper is partially decomposed,and part of its acid yielded up to the ammonia, which is con-

1 It is certainly not an ammoniuret, although so designated in the EdinburghPharmacopoeia.