A blue salt highly poisonous to algae, it is a prompt and active emetic, and is used as an irritant, astringent, and fungicide. SYN: copper sulfate, copper sulphate.
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cupric sulfate n COPPER SULFATE
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[USP] the pentahydrate sulfate salt of copper, CuSO4ยท5H2O, a powerful emetic; used orally as an antidote to phosphorus poisoning. Topical application of a 1 per cent solution is used in the treatment of phosphorus burns of the skin. It is also used as a catalyst with iron in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. In 1:1,000,000 concentration it is used to prevent growth of algae in ponds, reservoirs, and swimming pools. Called also copper sulfate.Medical dictionary. 2011.