300 IRON. 



the muscular fibre, and, by its astringency, checks profuse evacua- 

 tions, and counteracts the tendency to haemorrhage. The cases 

 best adapted for its exhibition are those of debility, or where the 

 strength of the constitution has been impaired either by long con- 

 tinued mental anxiety, excessive study, or bodily exertion beyond 

 the strength, and generally in convalescence after various diseases. 

 The morbid affections in -which iron is principally prescribed, are 

 dyspepsia, hypochondriasis, hysteria, rickets, scrofula, chlorosis, 

 fluor albus, gleet, passive haemorrhagies, palsy, and the latter stages 

 of pulmonary consumption. The preparations of iron, in very 

 large doses, have been employed with signal advantage in some 

 obstinate nervous and spasmodic affections, more particularly in 

 chorea and tic doloreux. Dr. Bree recommends it in certain 

 stages of asthma, as a means of lengthening the paroxysms, and it has 

 been also proposed as a remedy for cancer. In general, iron is most 

 advantageously taken given in small doses, regularly administered, and 

 continued for some time ; hence, says Dr. Murray, arises the greater 

 benefit derived from chalybeate mineral waters, than from iron in 

 any other form. Chalybcates are contra-indicated in all cases 

 where there is a tendency to inflammatory action, or a plethoric 

 state of the vessels j and its administration ought to be suspended, 

 where it renders the pulse quick, or where thirst and a white tongue 

 are associated with flushings, and increased determination of blood 

 to the head. 



The medicinal preparations of this metal are numerous ; the most 

 useful and certain are the protoxide, or proto -carbon ate, as it exists 

 in the mistura ferri composita of the pharmacopoeia, the muriated 

 tincture, the sulphate, and the subcarbonate or iron. 



Iron Filings, (Ferri ramenta, Ph. L. ; Limatitra Jerri, E.) 

 purified by the magnet, have occasionally been prescribed internally 

 as a tonic and anthelmintic, in a dose of from grs. x. to 33s. It is 

 the least active form in which iron can be given, and exerts no 

 action on the system unless it meets with acid in the stomach, by 

 which the metal may become oxidized. Its operation is deter- 

 mined by the disagreeable eructations of hydrogen gas, which it 

 produces, and by the black colour of the alvine evacuations. 



