Zi ran tong(Pyritum ):zi ran tong literally means natural copper; but it has nothing to do with copper. It is iron pyrites. Its chemical formula is FeS2. It also contains some trace mineral like nickle, arsenic and antimony.
In prescription, zi ran tong refers to unprocessed iron pyrites which has been cleaned of sand, rocks and impurities. Duan zi ran tong, also called duan ran tong, are those pieces of zi ran tong that have been heated till bright red and dipped into rice vinegar and smashed.
Actions & Indications: for dispersing heat and controlling pain, breaking blood clots, promoting the healing of broken bones and sinews, fractures of bones, wounds caused by sharp objects.
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Basic Instruction
What is zi ran tong,Zirantong pyritum,iron pyrites FeS2?...
Pyrite (Fool's Gold)
Pharmaceutical name: Pyritum
Name: Pyrites
Other Names: Pyrite, iron pyrites, fool's gold
Chemical name: iron pyrites
Chemical Composition: Iron Disulfide (FeS2)
Pron. in Cantonese: ji jin tong
Common Name: pyrite,fool's gold
Properties (characteristics): acrid, neutral
Hardness: 6-6.5
Specific Gravity: About 5.00
Color: Opaque brassy yellow
Luster: Metallic
Distribution: Sichuan, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Yunnan and all over the world
Common Form: Cubic crystals, typically striated, also pyritohedrons (12 5-sided faces) and less commonly octahedrons. Also frequently occurs in granular massive form, and sometimes as fibrous radiating nodules. Separate grains occur in many types of rock.
Sources: Common in pneumatolytic and hydrothermal veins, and in sedimentary deposit. Sources of good crystals include Rio Tinto, Spain; Utah, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Illinois, Vermont; Mexico; Italy; Isle of Elba; Germany; Austria; Yugoslavia; Czecholsovakia; Ural Mts; Cornwall, England
Cutting: Commercially, pyrites furnishes the stone usually sold as marcasite, for which purpose it is normally cut with six triangular facets and a flat base.
Product Identification: Synonyms: Pyrite; iron pyrite; Iron (II) disulfide; Fool's gold.
CAS No.: 1309-36-0
Molecular Weight: 119.967
Chemical Formula: FeS2
Chemical Name:Pyrite
Percent :100.0
EINECS/ELINCS :215-167-7
Property, taste and attributive meridian:Pungent in taste, mild in nature, and attributive to liver, kidney channel.
Origin and Identification:
Zirantong is mineral of Pyrite, Family sulphide. Putting 1g powder into 4ml acid hydrochloric dilute in the tube, shaking till dissolved, covering the tube orifice with lead acetate test paper and waiting, the test paper will gradually become brown (checking sulphide).
Pharmacological actions,Function and indication:
1. Contributing to bone fracture recovery
2. Anti-fungus: The pyrite (zirantong) can resist many kinds of fungi in different extend in the tube, especially for hyphomycete such as achorion gypseum and aspergillus terreus.
3. Dissipate blood stasis and alleviate pain, promote reunion of fractured bones. Indicated for traumatic injury, breaking of muscle and tendon and fracture, blood stasis and swelling pain.
Clinical application:Preventing endemic goiter.
Channels (meridians): entered kidney and liver
Actions & Indications: for dispersing heat and controlling pain, breaking blood clots, promoting the healing of broken bones and sinews, fractures of bones, wounds caused by sharp objects.
Chemical Composition: Ferrous bisulfide (FeS2) and some trace amount of cooper,Cu, Ni,arsenic and antimony.
Dosage: 3 to 9 g. Boil first when use in decoction or can be made into pills or powder form.
Cautions: Not to use on those who are yin deficient with heat or on those who are blood deficient and those without blood stasis symptoms.
Modern Research of Pyrites:Iron pyrites as a sulphur fertilizer.
Abstract:
Iron pyrites (FeS2), without any special treatment other than grinding, was found to be highly effective as a sulphur fertilizer for Trifolium subterraneum L. The dry weights of tops of plants fertilized with iron pyrites at 170 lb/acre (50% by weight of particles < 9 | in diameter) or at 340 lb/acre (14% < 9 | in diameter) were more than three times those of plants which did not receive applied sulphur (P<0.001), and were similar to those of plants receiving 40 lb sulphur per acre (sulphur sufficiency) as either sodium sulphate or sublimed sulphur. The smallest mean particle size used (65 % < 9 | in diameter) did not produce any further increases in dry weights. Iron pyrites at very high rates of application (1360 and 680 lb/acre) of the smallest mean particle size were not toxic to the plants. Small quantities of sublimed sulphur applied with the iron pyrites did not increase the dry weight responses to the iron pyrites. Sterilization of the iron pyrites, or inoculation of sterilized iron pyrites with either an American or a Tasmanian culture of iron-oxidizing bacteria similar to Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, had no effect on the dry weight responses. No indications were found that the presence of phosphate ions decreased the dry weight responses to iron pyrites. It is suggested that in warmer humid climates, smaller applications or larger mean particle sizes of iron pyrites might suffice to alleviate a similar degree of sulphur deficiency.
PYRITES, a term applied to iron disulphide when crystallized in the cubic system. but used also in a general sense to designate a group of metailic sulphides of which this mineral is the most characteristic exaP~ple. When employed as a group-name the constituent species are distinguished by prefixes: thus the type is called iron pyrites, whilst other species are known as copper pyrites, arsenical pyrites, &c. The original word pyrites (from Gr. iriup, fire) had reference to the fact that sparks might be elicited on striking the mineral violently, as with flint, so that 7rvpir7~ MOos meant a stone which struck fire. Hence the name seems to have been applied also to flint, and perhaps to emery and other hard stones. Nodules of pyrites have been found in prehistoric harrows and elsewhere under conditions suggesting their use as a primitive means of producing fire. Even in late historic time it was employed in some of the old wheel-lock guns. Iron-pyrites was formerly called marcasite, a word variously written marcasin, marchasite, marchesite, marquesite, &c. The two names are now applied to distinct mineral species. The compound FeS2 is dimorphous, and the modern practice is to distinguish the cubic forms as pyrites and the orthorhombic as marcasite (q.v.). Sometimes, however, the term pyrites is loosely applied to both species, and the cubic pyrites is then differentiated by the name pyrite a form which brings the last syllable into harmony with the spelling of the names of most minerals.
Iron pyrites, or pyrite, belongs crystallographically to the parallelfaced hemihedral class of the cubic system.
the cube, the octahedron, and the pentagonal dodecahedron. Fig. I shows P the cube (Ioo}, d the octahedron III }, and e the pentagonal dodecahedron ir {2f0}. In fig. 2 7r 12Io~ and ~Ii1} areassociatedwith * f the dyakis-dodecahedron ir ~32I}; whilst fig. 3 shows a combination of ,r ~21O1 and ir e e t42I~. The faces of the cube are sometimes striated parallel to the edges between P
and e (fig. 1), the striae on each face being e e therefore at right angles to those of the e adjoining faces, and indicating an oscilla e e tory combination of the cube and penta gonal dodecahedron. Fig. 4 illustrates a characteristic twin, formed by two inter penetrating pentagonal dodecahedra. Such FIG supplementary twins, known in Germany - 4 as twins of the Iron Cross, are commonly brown by superficial conversion into limonite.
Pyrites presents a conchoidal fracture, and a very indistinct cubic cleavage. Its hardness is about 6, and its specific gravity 49 to 5.2, being rather more than that of marcasite. Moreover, the color of pyrites is pale brass-yellow, whilst that of marcasite when untarnished may be almost tin-white. From copper-pyrites (chalcopyrite) iron-pyrites is distinguished by its superior hardness and by its paler color. On exposure to meteoric influences pyrites commonly becomes brown, by formation of ferric hydrate or limonite, whence the change is called limonitization. Such a change is very common on the outcrop of mineral veins, forming what miners call gozzan. Another kind of alteration which pyrites may suffer has been termed vitriolization, since the products are ferrous sulphate, with free sulphuric acid and sometimes a basic ferric sulphate. It is often said that this saline change is more characteristic of marcasite than of pyrite, but according to H. N. Stokes this statement is incorrect. Contrary, too, to popular belief, he has found a fibrous structure more common in pyrite than in marcasite. In some cases the two forms of iron disulphide occur in intimate association and are difficult to distinguish.
According to the formula FeS2, pyrites contains theoretically 46-67 % of iron and 53.33 of sulphur. Practically, however, it frequently contains other metals, such as copper, cobalt and nickel. Gold is often present, and in many gold-mining districts the precious metal is obtained mainly from auriferous pyrites. As pyrites, from its brass-yellow color, is sometimes mistaken for gold, it has been vulgarly called fools gold. Traces of thallium, which are present in some pyrites, may be detected in the flues of the furnaces where the metal is roasted. Arsenic is an impurity which may be of serious consequence in some of the purposes to which pyrites is applied. The presence of copper, nickel and arsenic is possibly due in many cases to traces of kindred minerals, like chalcopyrite, pentlandite and mispickel.
Pyrites is a mineral of very wide distribution, occurring under varied conditions and probably originating in various way~. It is common in, mineral-veins, usually associated with quartz, and is often known to miners as mundic. It occurs crystallized, commonly in cubes, in schistose and slaty rocks, and less abundantly in the younger sedimentary deposits. In coal it not infrequently forms bands and nodules known as brasses, and may also be finely disseminated through the coal as black pyrites ; but much of the so-called pyrites of coal is really marcasite. Films of pyrites sometimes coat the joint-planes of coal. It is believed that the bluish color of many clays and limestones is referable to the presence of finely divided pyrites, and it is known that certain deposits of blue mud now forming around continental shores owe their color, in part, to disseminated iron sulphide. Pyritous shales have been largely used in the manufacture of alum, and are therefore known as alum-shales. Many fossils are mineralized with pyrites, which has evidently been reduced by the action of decomposing organic matter on a solution of ferrous sulphate, or perhaps less directly on ferrous carbonate dissolved in water containing carbonic acid, in the presence of certain sulphates. A similar action probably explains the origin of pyrites and marcasite in coal and lignite, in clay and shales, and in limestone like chalk.
Pyrites is largely worked for sake of the sulphtrr which it contains, and in many cases it has displaced brimstone in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. For this purpose its value depends on the proportion of sulphur present. Pyrites low in sulphur is incapable of sustaining its own combustion without the aid of an external source of heat, and 45% of sulphur is, for economic reasons, usually regarded as the lowest admissible f or sulphuric acid manufacture. It is also important for this purpose that the ore should be as free as possible from arsenic (see SuLPHURIc ACID).
An extremely important variety of pyrites is that which is more or less cupriferous, and is commonly known commercially as copper-pyrites (q.v.), though distinct mineralogically from that mineral. It consists, indeed, mainly of iron-pyrites, with a notable but variable proportion of copper, sometimes with silver and gold, and not infrequently associated with lead and zinc sulphides. The copper probably exists as~ disseminated chalcopyrite. Deposits of such cupriferous pyrites are widely distributed and are often of great magnitude. They are generally of lenticular form, and usually occur in or near the contact of eruptive rocks with schists or slates; the presence of the igneous rock being probably connected genetically with their origin. Among the best-known deposits of this character are those in the Huelva district, in the south-west of Spain, including the mines of Rio Tinto, Tharsis, Calanas, &c.; with those of San Domingos in Portugal. At Rio Tinto the ore is divided into three classes:
(I).The poorest, containing an average of about 13/4% of copper, which is treated locally by leaching with water and liquor containing ferric sulphate, whereby the copper is dissolved out and afterwards precipitated by pig-iron, whilst the residue is exported as ordinary iron-pyrites.
(2).Export ore, with from 2 to 5 % of copper, in which the sulphur, copper and precious metals are utilized, and the residual iron oxide then sold as purple ore for use in iron manufacture.
(3).Smelting ore, which averages about 6% of copper, and is treated metallurgically as described under COPPER.
The worlds annual production of iron-pyrites is about 1,700,000 tons. The largest producer is Spain, with upwards of 350,000 tons, including the cupriferous pyrites. France yields about 300,000 tons, largely from the Sam Bel mines, department of the Rhne. Then follows Portugal, with its important output of cupreous pyrites. In the United States the production of pyrites now reaches more than 200,000 tons per annum. The state of Virginia is the chief producer, followed successively by Georgia, North Carolina, Colorado, Massachusetts, Caiifornia, Missouri, New York, &c. From Indiana and Ohio a quantity of pyrites is obtained as a by-product in coalmining. Newfoundland yields cupreous pyrites, worked at Pulleys Island, whilst the nickeliferous pyrites of Sudbury in Ontario is partly magnetic (see PYRRHOTITE). Magnetic pyrites of commercial importance occurs also in Virginia and Tennessee. The United Kingdom yields but little pyrites, the annual output being not more than about 10,000 tons. Large quantities of sulphur ore were, however, formerly worked in the Vale of Avoca, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Finely crystallized specimens of pyrite are obtained from many other localities, especially from Cornwall, Elba and Traversella, near Ivrea, in Piedmont.
See, for the early history of pyrites, J. F. Henckels Pyritologia, oder Kieshistorie (Leipzig, 1725); of which an English translation appeared in 1757, entitled Pyritologia; or a History of the Pyrites, the Principal Body in the Mineral Kingdom. For a modern description of the deposit of pyrites of economic importance reference may be made to A Treatise on Ore Deposits, by J. A. Phillips (2nd ed. by H. Louis, 1896). For chemical means of distinguishing pyrite from marcasite consult H. N. Stokes, On Pyrite and Marcasite, Bull. U. S. Geol.
Scientific References:
1.What is zi ran tong,Zirantong pyritum,iron pyrites FeS2?
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Pharmakon Warning: The order of knowledge is not the transparent order of forms and ideas,as one might be tempted retrospectively to interpret it; it is the antidote....(Dissemination,Plato's Pharmacy,II.The Ingredients:Phantasms,Festivals,and Paints;138cf. Jacques Derrida.).
And as it happens,the technique of imitation,along with the production of the simulacrum,has always been in Plato's eyes manifestly magical,thaumaturgical:......and the same things appear bent and straight to those who view them in water and out,or concave and convex,owing to similar errors of vision about colors, and there is obviously every confusion of this sort in our souls.And so scene painting (skiagraphia) in its exploitation of this weakness of four nature falls nothing short of witchcraft (thaumatopoia), and so do jugglery and many other such contrivances.(Republic X,602c-d;cf.also 607c).