LEEDS CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
G27 
Of the salts of iron the protosulphate is the most extensively prepared, being the pro¬ 
duct of the oxidation of iron pyrites, and a bye-product in the alum manufacture. Its 
poisonous properties are marked. Dr. F. Crace Calvert, a few years since, analysed the 
contents of the stomach of a man poisoned by it. It is used in medicine, but is a harsh 
method of administering this valuable medicinal agent. 
The perchloride is best prepared by forming the protochloride in crystals, dissolving in 
water, and passing a slow current of chlorine until no blue is produced with ferricyanide 
of potassium. The excess of chlorine is expelled by a gentle heat, and the solution will 
bear evaporating down to the crystallizing-poiut without decomposition. The process 
given in the Pharmacopoeia is not good, as a sample prepared in strict conformity to its 
directions gave a dark liquid containing protosalt and nitric acid. On heating more 
strongly, the solution became muddy from formation of a sub-salt. 
The tartrate of iron has the property of not being thrown down by alkalies ; the 
citrate also acts in a similar method. This doubtless exerts an influence on their 
therapeutic action, and may account for the favour in which these remedies are held. A 
compound described in the ‘Chemical News,’ an albuminate of iron and soda, from its 
resemblance to the compound of iron which exists in the blood, will probably prove a 
valuable remedy. 
The peracetate of iron has the property of losing its acid when exposed in solution 
to a heat of about 200° F. for a length of time. This solution is opaque to reflected 
light, but transparent to transmitted, does not give the usual tests for iron, has no inky 
taste, and has, in fact, lost the distinctive peculiarities of an iron salt.' 
These are some of the facts connected with iron; only a small selection could be 
made from the immense store, to which almost daily additions are made. Materially 
speaking, this is an iron age, for iron is superseding all other materials. Is it wood ? 
our ships were British oak, but the naval poet of the next generation must sing of 
British iron. Stone—our bridges did come from the quarry, but now from the mine 
and foundry. In thin sheets it has been proposed as an indestructible material for books 
to substitute paper, and, when enamelled, steel collars invade the domain of linen. 
This metal may take a life with sharp cut or thrust, or may restore the languishing 
invalid to strength and energy. To it we owe our country’s greatness in large mea¬ 
sure ; -with it we make the bridges, the machinery, the ships which are the modern 
wonders of the world; and with it too the sons of brave old England stand ready to 
defend their treasures and to bid defiance to a world in arms. 
The lecture was illustrated by experiments and specimens. 
The thanks of the meeting were accorded for the most able and interesting discourse. 
LEEDS CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The Ninth Meeting of the session was held at the School of Art, on the evening of May 
18th ; the President, Mr. Harvey, in the chair. 
Mr. Abbott read a paper upon “ Linimentum Saponis.” After describing the incon¬ 
veniences resulting from the gelatinization of soap liniment made according to the for¬ 
mula of the Pharm. Lond., 1851, he pointed out the objections to the two methods 
which had been sometimes proposed as substitutes, viz. the use of soft soap, or of a 
weaker spirit. The use of soft soap is obviously contra-indicated by the bleaching 
action of its liniment upon tincture of iodine, whilst rectified spirit is preferable to proof 
strength for combining with chloroform, iodine, compound camphor liniment, etc. 
Where watery extracts, as belladonna, had to be mixed with the liniment, the weaker 
spirit had advantages; but the introduction of Linim. Bellad. Brit. Pharin. would ob¬ 
viate the necessity ot such prescriptions. 
Mr. Abbott described the valuable experiments upon soap liniment made by Mr. Deane 
(Pharm. Journ., vol. xviii.), to which Mr. Groves has added. These prove that whilst rec¬ 
tified spirit will dissolve only a part of hard soap in the cold (viz. the oleate of soda), an 
increase of temperature to 70° F. will take up nearly the whole of the remainder (the 
margarate of soda). 
The formula for Lin. Saponis, Brit. Pharm., being nearly identical with that of the 
Pharm. Lond., 1851, the criticisms which had been applied to the latter still held good. 
The author’s own experience in endeavouring to follow strictly the British Pharmacopoeia 
was as follows:— 
