584 
MANCHESTER CHEMISTS AND DRUGGISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
He said that his remarks would be confined to a very few preparations, giving his 
experience and opinions on points of manipulation in their manufacture. As far as 
possible chemists should make their own galenical preparations, as by following the 
directions of the Pharmacopoeia closely, they may be prepared by any person having- 
some little experience in pharmaceutical manipulation. Excellent tests are also given 
for ascertaining the purity of chemicals, and it would be well to test every parcel re¬ 
ceived. This may soon be done very easily, and of its necessity personal experience will 
convince us. A case in which Pulv. Antim. Tart, was sent instead of Pulv. Acid. Tart., 
and which was not detected until serious consequences had arisen, had fallen under his 
own notice. The first preparation spoken of was Syr. Ferri Phosph. This is prepared 
by precipitating a solution of sulphate of iron with phosphate of sodium, washing and 
dissolving the resulting phosphate of iron in dilute phosphoric acid, and forming a 
syrup by the addition of sugar. The phosphate of iron should not be pressed too much 
before dissolving, or the resulting syrup will not make up 12 fl. oz., and also the phos¬ 
phate, when too much pressed, cannot be so well diffused in water, and dissolves more 
slowly in the phosphoric acid, requiring long stirring, which is injurious by favouring 
absorption of oxygen. The syrup is stated to contain 1 grain of phosphate of iron in 1 
fluid drachm ; this, however, is not the case, for although the quantity of sulphate of 
iron is sufficient, perfect precipitation does not take place, considerable traces of iron 
being always found in the filtrate. The acetate of sodium added does not prevent this 
in the cold, probably from not being decomposed by the sulphuric acid set free in such 
a dilute solution. 
In one of the American Journals of Pharmacy, in an article on Syr. Ferri Quin, et 
Strych. Phosph. is a method for forming the solution of phosphate of iron at once, by 
adding superphosphate of calcium to the sulphate of iron, thus obtaining phosphate of 
iron in solution, and sulphate of calcium precipitated. This process embodies the idea 
of Mr. Wood, in preparing syrup of hypophosphite of iron, viz. precipitating sulphate 
of iron with hypophosphite of calcium in presence of dilute phosphoric acid. This me¬ 
thod would probably give excellent results with Syr. Ferri Phosph. To preserve the 
syrup from change, the best method is to completely fill small bottles and use good 
corks. Light does not appear to have any effect upon it. 
The principal cause of the discoloration of the syrup is probably nitrous compounds 
in the phosphoric acid, and by using acid prepared by myself, a syrup was obtained 
which kept better than any previously made. In preparing the acid, Professor Attfield’s 
modification of the Pharmacopoeia process gives good results; it consists in the use of a 
flask instead of a retort, having a large funnel placed in the neck, in which is inverted a 
smaller one. 
In preparing syrup of iodide of iron, small wrought-iron tacks may be used instead of 
iron wire with advantage. They are more convenient to use, and will keep any length 
of time in a dry place without rusting, and are almost as pure, a sample analysed con¬ 
taining 99-1439 of pure iron. 
If instead of using 3 oz. of water, 2 only are employed at first, there is no necessity for 
heating. Another advantage in using less water is, that there is one ounce more to dis¬ 
solve the sugar to form the syrup. Probably a reduction in the quantity of sugar would 
be an improvement, as after standing a few days, sugar crystallizes out. To preserve 
this syrup many suggestions have been made, some involving unjustifiable additions, 
such as citric, sulphuric, or phosphoric acid. No difficulty is experienced if the syrup 
be kept in small, well-corked bottles. Light also appears to have no action on this 
syrup. 
A short discussion followed, in which the President and Messrs. Shaw and Davies 
joined, after which, a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Tanner. 
MANCHESTEK CHEMISTS AND DEUOGISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The Third Monthly Meeting was held at Union Chambers, 15, Dickenson Street, on 
Friday, February 5th,—Mr. Brown, Vice-President, in the chair. Mr. Hampson read a 
paper on “ The Question of Kemunerative and Uniform Prices.” At its conclusion a 
