Copper Sulphate was known in India from a very remote period. It is a widely used chemical salt in medicine as well as in agriculture.
Processing of Copper Sulphate
Copper Sulphate is prepared by roasting copper pyrites, dissolving the roasted mass in water and evaporating the solution to obtain crystals of the sulphate. It is purified for internal use by being rubbed with honey and exposed to heat in a crucible. It is then soaked for 3 days in whey and dried.
Benefits of Copper Sulphate
It was known as a salt of copper and is described in this work as astringent, emetic, caustic, and useful in eye diseases, skin diseases, poisoning etc.
Dose of Copper Sulphate in Medicine
Sulphate of copper dissolved in hot water is administered in, insensibility from poisoning to excite vomiting. It enters into the composition of some medicines for remittent fever, such as the mentioned in Bhavaprakasa, but arsenic is the active ingredient in these preparations. In quartan fever the following called Chaturthakari is recommended by many writers. Take orpiment, realgar, sulphate of copper, burnt conch-shells and sulphur, parts; rub them together with the juice of Aloe Indica and in a covered crucible. When cool extract the powder and make into 4 grain pills with the juice of Aloe Indica. They are administered with powdered black pepper and ghee. Buttermilk should be taken before these pills which relieve the fever by inducing vomiting.
Grahanikapata Rasa: Sulphate of copper is used in chronic bowel complaints along with other medicines, as for example in the following called Grahanikapata Rasa. Take sulphate of copper, orpiment, mercury, iron, iron pyrites and borax, each 5 mashas. Prepared couries 2 and a half tolas and sulphur one tola. Rub them all together with lemon juice and roast the mass lightly. This medicine is given in chronic bowel complaints, consumption etc.
Garbhavilasa Rasa: Sulphate of copper enters into the composition of some medicines for diseases of the pregnant and puerperal state, such as, the Sutikavinoda or Garbhavilasa Rasa. To prepare it take mercury, sulphur, and sulphate of copper, each one part and rub them together with lemon juice for 3 days. Then take cumin seeds, kalajira, long pepper, black pepper and ginger each one part, mix and make into 8 grain pills. They are used in bowel complaints and indigestion during the puerperal and pregnant state.
Copper Sulphate is applied to sinuses and fistula with the object of stimulating and healing them. It is added to ointments for foul ulcers. A solution of Copper Sulphate is poured into the eyes in opacity of the cornea. The following compound powder is applied to chancres. Take mercury; sulphur, sulphate of copper, cinnabar and sulphate of iron, equal parts, powder and mix. This composition may be used in the form of powder or paste.