Aluminium

Aluminium, Aluminium (chemical symbol Al, atomic weight 27.1), the most common metal on the surface of the earth and, after oxygen and silicon, the most important constituent part of the earth's crust. Al. occurs in nature, predominantly, in the form of silicic acid salts (silicates); the hydrous silicate of Al. is the main constituent part of clays, and the double silicate of Al. and potassium forms feldspar. Salts of Al. form albuminates with protein substances, consequently they have astringent and antiseptic, and in strong concentrations - irritating and cauterizing action. Al. is not absorbed at all by the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, therefore with internal administration of aluminum compounds, even in very large doses, poisoning does not occur, and only local gastrointestinal disorders are observed. When introduced into the blood or under the skin, Al. has a sharp toxic action, paralyzing the central nervous system and heart; at the same time, in mammals, trembling of the head, convulsions, decreased sensitivity, and phenomena of progressive paralysis of the central nervous system are observed. Aluminum, introduced into animals under the skin or into the blood, is excreted by the kidneys and intestines. On autopsy of animals that died from Al. poisoning, hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and fatty degeneration of the liver and kidneys are observed. Preparations of aluminum are used as astringent, caustic, and antiseptic agents. Preparations of Al.: Alumen, alum, KA1(SO₄)₂·12H₂O, represent the double sulfuric acid salt of Al. and potassium, have the appearance of colorless crystals, soluble in 10.5 parts of cold water, extremely easily in hot water and insoluble in alcohol. Alum is used externally for the most diverse catarrhs of mucous membranes: in the form of a ¹/10-1% aqueous solution for gargles with angina and stomatitis; for inhalations with chronic pharyngitis and laryngitis; for douches with gonorrhea, cystitis, vaginitis, etc.; Alumen ustum, burnt alum, deprived of crystallization water, have an energetic local action.-Al. aceticum, basic acetic acid Al., (CH₃COO)₂AlOH, is obtained from sulfuric acid Al., dilute acetic acid, calcium carbonate, and water. An 8% aqueous solution of it bears the name of Burrow's solution (see).-Aluminium acetico-tartaricum, acetic-tartaric Al., a colorless amorphous mass, soluble in water. An approximately 50% aqueous solution of this preparation bears the name Liquor Aluminium acetico-tartarici or AIsol and represents a good astringent and antiseptic agent for compresses, dressings, washings, and injections. In dry form it is used as a powder.-Alumnolum, alumnol, [C₁₀H₆(OH)(SO₃)₂]₃Al₂, the aluminum salt of β-naphol-disulfonic acid; a white powder easily soluble in water, has astringent and disinfecting action.-Bolus alba s. Argilla alba, clay, silicic acid Al. Often used as a drying agent, in the form of a powder or as a basis for powders.-Aluminium hydroxydatum, Argilla pura, hydrate of Al. oxide, alumina, an amorphous, loose powder, insoluble in water, easily soluble in acids and caustic alkalis.-Neutralon, a synthetically prepared silicate of Al., Al₂Si₆O₁₅·2H₂O, possessing the property of binding acids in the stomach, and therefore is indicated in hyperacidity, increased secretion of gastric juice, stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Taken half an hour before meals, 3.0 of powder in a ¹/2 glass of water, three times a day.-Escalin, esalin, metallic aluminum, converted into a very fine powder, which is sold in the form of lozenges; proposed for the treatment of stomach ulcer and intestinal hemorrhages.

Russian. Alum and sulfuric acid aluminum as coagulants. Alum, added to turbid water, forms, mainly with organic substances, turbidities, clots of a colloidal nature, soon settling out; thus alum promotes the precipitation from water of mucus, protein substances, zooglyea of microbes, and at the same time captures any other organic and mineral substances of turbidity. This chemical coagulating action (of a colloidal nature) belongs to the aluminum part of alum and therefore, as a coagulant, in the purification of water, sulfuric acid aluminum is now used, also avoiding introducing the potassium salt into drinking water because potassium is a cardiac poison. ALUMINOSIS OF THE LUNGS, a type of pneumoconiosis (see) from inhaling mineral dust of aluminum silicates. A professional disease of workers in cement and faience productions, as well as tool grinders (siliceous dust from the grindstone); mineral dust, depositing in the lungs and at their root, serves as an irritant, as a result of which chronic bronchitis and cirrhosis of the lungs occur.