N. MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND HYGIENE. 621 



second, the salt of iron does not exist in the capsule, and ox- 

 idation is therefore not possible ; third, the salt of iron is pre- 

 sented to the stomach in a nascent state that is to say, in 

 the best condition for absorption and assimilation. 



The same pharmaceutist prepares the iodo-bromide of iron 

 in capsules, representing the natural association of bromine 

 and iodine in marine productions and mineral waters. Ac- 

 cording to his statement, the bromide of iron can be taken 

 with perfect convenience by persons who can not use the 

 other salts of iron. 9 ^, January 9, 1873, 112. 



BROMIDE OF. CALCIUM IX MEDICINE. 



The application of the bromides in medicine has within 

 late years increased to an enormous extent, the bromide of 

 potassium alone being manufactured by tons and furnish- 

 ed at a low price, whereas years ago it was only the more 

 wealthy who could afford to use it. The combinations of 

 bromine usually employed are .those of potassium, sodium, 

 and ammonium, and their virtues depend principally upon 

 the extent to which the bromine is taken into the system. 

 This substance can not be employed by itself on account of 

 its very acrid properties. 



Quite lately Dr. William A. Hammond, the eminent spe- 

 cialist in diseases of the nervous system, introduced the use 

 of the bromide of calcium, to which he was led by notic- 

 ing the much greater readiness with which it was decom- 

 posed ; in fact, for this reason a solution can not be kept any 

 length of time without becoming unserviceable. It is there- 

 fore best kept in a dry state, the solution being made from 

 time to time as needed for administration. The dose is fif- 

 teen to thirty grains, according to the age or condition of the 

 patient. As a hypnotic, it is much preferably to the other 

 remedies, and it has even been available in checking a power- 

 ful attack of delirium tremens. It has also been used to ad- 

 vantage in epilepsy, in which it has a very decided effect. 

 Amer. Jour, of Med. Science^ October^ 1871. 



NITRITE OF AMYL. 



Amono' the recent additions to the materia onedica which 



promise to be of value in the treatment of disease, one of 



P the most interesting is the nitrite of amyl, one of the nu- 



