[MR] RE: Blue Vitriol

[C. Brian Towey]

Here's a nice article on hydrated cupric sulfate, a.k.a. Blue Vitriol

"Blue vitriol is copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate, CuSO4.5 H2O. The compound
is called blue vitriol because because it can be prepared by oxidizing
copper in hot concentrated sulfuric acid ("oil of vitriol")..."

http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/inorganic/faq/print-blue-vitrio
l.shtml

And, here is an article on the use of toxic inorganic compounds as food
coloring.

"For example, candy was almost always contaminated with one or more of the
following: red sulfuret (mercury(II)sulfide, HgS), verdigris (copper(II)
acetate, Cu(C2H3O2)2), blue vitriol (copper(II)sulfate, CuSO4), sugar of
lead (lead(II)acetate, Pb(C2H3O2)2), white lead (lead(II)carbonate, PbCO3)
and Scheele's green (copper(II) arsenite, Cu(AsO3)2)..."

http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/feature_ent.html?id=c373e9ffe3859dc2
8f6a17245d830100

(Warning - long URLs.  You may have to reassemble wrapped lines.)

Your servant,

Charles Fleming