612 MEDICINES. 



Tincture of Iodine. 



Iodine ... ... ... ... ... i oz. 



Iodide of potassium ... ... ... ^ oz. 



Rectified spirit ... ... ... ... 1 piat 



Liniment of Iodine. 



Iodine ... ... ... ... ... 2^ oz. 



Iodide of potassium ... ... ... 1 oz. 



Glycerine ... .-• ... ... ... ^ oz. 



Rectified spirit ... ... ... ... 1 pint. 



The liniment is 5 times stronger than the tincture. These three 

 preparations of iodine are absorbents and counter-irritants. 



Iodoform, 



which is an admirable antiseptic, does not destroy bacteria ; 

 but, according to Behring, it induces chemical changes in the 

 poisonous materials which they produce, so as to render them 

 harmless. Unlike corrosive sublimate, and, to a lesser degree, 

 carbolic acid, iodoform has no irritating effect on a wound. Iodo- 

 form requires the presence of pus to cause it to become decom- 

 posed and to give off its iodine, to which it owes its antiseptic 

 property. Hence, iodoform will not form a dry scab in the first 

 instance. It can be used dry, or with eucalyptus oil, in which 

 as much iodoform has been dissolved as the oil will take up. 



See p. 540. 



Ipecacuanha. 



Iron, 



Sulphate of Iro/i. 



should be kept in well-stoppered bottles; for if exposed to the 

 air it will gradually become decomposed, it is a valuable tonic; 

 although it is apt to have a constipating eft'ect. If it upsets the 

 digestion, it should be discontinued. 



Preparations of iron should not be employed in cases of in- 

 digestion, or of diseased liver (p. 541). 



Dose, 20 to 60 grains once or twice a day, mixed in the food. 



A solution of 1 lb. to the gallon of water is an admirable dis- 

 infectant for stables. When brought into the presence of am- 

 monia and sulphuretted hydrogen, the annnonia becomes fixed by 

 being converted into the sulphate; and the sulphuretted hydro- 

 gen is decomposed by yielding up its sulphm- to the iron. 



