486 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



the formula of its composition, S0» K0 + S03, CrO + 6HO. The 

 author has not yet determined the composition of the protoxide of 

 chromium, but is engaged in ascertaining it. — Journ. de Pharm. et 

 de Ch., Nov. 1844. 



ACETATE OF IRON AS A REMEDY FOR ARSENICAL PREPARATIONS. 



The hydrated peroxide of iron is of admitted efficacy in cases of 

 poisoning with uncombined arsenious or arsenic acid ; but according 

 to the experiments of Duflos, it is quite ineffectual when these acids 

 are combined with bases, as for example. Fowler's solution, or arse- 

 nite of potash, or arseniate of potash, which last is frequently employed 

 in calico-printing, and is consequently easily procured. 



In the uncertainty in which the practitioner may be placed as to 

 whether the arsenical poison be free or combined, it is very im- 

 portant to administer the oxide of iron in such a form as to produce 

 a favourable result : to this end it is convenient to employ the per- 

 acetate of iron. 



This compound may be prepared by adding to the hydrated per- 

 oxide of iron obtained from the decomposition of four parts of liquid 

 perchloride of iron, three parts of acetic acid of density 1*06, and 

 sufficient water to make up 16 parts. 



This liquid, which is a solution of peracetate of iron with excess 

 of base, precipitates arsenious and arsenic acid from all their solu- 

 tions, either free, or combined with any base ; 500 grains of it are 

 sufficient to decompose 1880 grains of Fowler's solution. 



This result demonstrates that liquid peracetate of iron merits pre- 

 ference in cases of poisoning by arsenical compounds. It should be 

 remembered that its power is more rapid in proportion as it is more 

 diluted with water; besides which, large dilution prevents all irritating 

 action of the acetic acid set free. — Journ. de Ch. Med., Novembre 

 1844. 



[The mode of preparing the above compound is not very clearly 

 stated, for the strength of the liquid perchloride of iron is not given. 

 It may be presumed that peracetate of iron mixed with peroxide is 

 to be employed ; the degree of excess of the latter is of Uttle conse- 

 quence, and the strength of the peracetate is limited by the emjjloy- 

 ment of four parts of acetic acid of 1'06 made up to 16 parts with 

 water, and this, it appears, is to be largely diluted before exhibited. 

 — Edit.] 



ON A NEW CHARACTER OF THE SALTS OF LIME AND MAGNESIA. 

 M. Marchand remarks, that all treatises on chemistry agree in 

 stating that the salts of lime and magnesia are not precipitated by the 

 ferrocyanide of potassium. The ferrocyanides of calcium and mag- 

 nesium being very soluble in water, also induced the belief that the 

 characters stated by authors were correct ; this however is not the 

 case, for when ferrocyanide of potassium is added to even weak so- 

 lutions of salts of lime or magnesia, an abundant precipitate of a 

 slightly yellowish-white colour soon begins to deposit, and it adheres 

 strongly to the sides of the vessel. The only precaution to be taken 

 in producing the effect, is to take care that the solutions are per- 



