Aluminum

ALUMINUM, Aluminium (chemical symbol Al, atomic weight 27.1), the most common metal on the earth's surface and, after oxygen and silicon, the most important constituent of the earth's crust. Aluminum is found in nature, predominantly in the form of salts of silicic acid (silicates); hydrated aluminum silicate is the main constituent of clays, and the double silicate of aluminum and potassium forms feldspar. Aluminum salts form albuminates with protein substances, as a result of which they exert an astringent and antiseptic effect, and in strong concentrations, an irritating and cauterizing effect. Aluminum is not absorbed at all by the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, when aluminum compounds are used internally, 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, aluminum exerts a sharp toxic effect, paralyzing the central nervous system and the heart; in mammals, one observes trembling of the head, convulsions, a decrease in sensitivity, and phenomena of progressive paralysis of the central nervous system. Aluminum introduced into animals under the skin or into the blood is excreted by the kidneys and intestines. Upon autopsy of animals that have died from aluminum poisoning, hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and fatty degeneration of the liver and kidneys are observed. Aluminum preparations are used as astringent, cauterizing, and antiseptic agents. Aluminum preparations: Alumen, alum, KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O, represents a double sulfate salt of aluminum and potassium, appearing as 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 0.5–1% aqueous solution for gargling in cases of tonsillitis and stomatitis; for inhalations in chronic pharyngitis and laryngitis; for douching in cases of gonorrhea, cystitis, vaginitis, etc. Alumen ustum, burnt alum, deprived of water of crystallization, possesses an energetic local effect. Aluminii aceticum, basic aluminum acetate, (CH₃COO)₂AlOH, is obtained from aluminum sulfate, diluted acetic acid, calcium carbonate, and water. An 8% aqueous solution of it bears the name Burow's solution (see). Aluminium acetico-tartaricum, aluminum acetotartrate, is a colorless amorphous mass, soluble in water. An approximately 50% aqueous solution of this preparation bears the name Liquor Aluminii acetico-tartarici or Alsol and represents a good astringent and antiseptic agent for compresses, dressings, washings, and injections. In dry form, it is used as a dusting powder. Alumnolum, alumnol, [C₁₀H₆(OH)(SO₃)₂]₃Al₂, is the aluminum salt of β-naphthol-disulfonic acid; it is a white powder easily soluble in water, possessing an astringent and disinfecting effect. Bolus alba s. Argilla alba, clay, aluminum silicate. It is often used as a drying agent, in the form of a dusting powder or as a base for dusting powders. Aluminium hydroxydatum, Argilla pura, aluminum hydroxide, alumina, is an amorphous, loose powder, insoluble in water, easily soluble in acids and caustic alkalis. Neutralon, neutralon, is a synthetically prepared aluminum silicate, Al₂Si₆O₁₅·2H₂O, possessing the property of binding acids in the stomach, and therefore it is indicated for hyperaciditas, increased secretion of gastric juice, and ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. It is taken half an hour before meals, 3.0 of the powder in 1/2 glass of water, three times a day. Escalin, escalin, is metallic aluminum converted into a very fine powder, which is released for sale in the form of lozenges; it has been proposed for the treatment of gastric ulcers and intestinal hemorrhages.

D. Russian. Alum and aluminum sulfate as coagulants. Alum, added to turbid water, forms, predominantly with organic substances of the turbidity, clots of a colloidal character that quickly precipitate; thus, alum facilitates the precipitation from water of mucus, substances of a protein character, and zoogloea of microbes, capturing at the same time all other organic and mineral substances of the turbidity. This chemical coagulating action (of a colloidal character) belongs to the aluminum part of the alum, and therefore, as a coagulant in water purification, aluminum sulfate is currently used, avoiding the introduction of potassium salt into drinking water also because potassium is a cardiac poison.