Copper Metabolism in Man

Abstract

THE element copper is ubiquitously distributed on the earth's surface. Its tin alloy, bronze, has been in use for four thousand years, and the salts of the metal were employed in the therapy of eye disease in Babylon, Assyria and Egypt.1 Copper was identified in plant2 , 3 and animal4 material a hundred and forty years ago and was considered a contaminant. It is only in this century that it has been recognized as an essential constituent of all living things and that derangements in copper metabolism have been recognized in human and animal diseases.Distribution of Copper in the BodyCopper . . .