128 VALERIANIC ACID, AND THE VALERIANATES. 
acid,and a metallic, astringent taste, combined with that of the 
acid ; soluble in 160 parts of cold water, and in sixty parts of 
alcohol. Ether also takes up small portions of the salt. 
The hydrated salt is more soluble, requiring only forty-four 
parts of water to dissolve it. Its composition is ZnO,Va, 
or, if hydrated, ZnO,Va,12HO. 
According to the same authority, valerianate of zinc is often 
adulterated, butyrate of zinc being substituted for it, as well 
as the acetate of zinc, these being flavoured with the oil of 
valerian. 
Valerianate of Iron is likewise obtained from vale¬ 
rianate of soda, by the action of the sulphate of iron upon it, 
or rather the persulphate; its composition, according to 
Wittstein is, 3Fe03,7Va,2H0. 
“ Prepared according to the Dublin College,” says Pereira, 
“ it is a tile-red, loose, amorphous powder, with a faint 
odour and taste of valerianic acid. When heated it fuses, 
then evolves its acid, and is converted into a sesquioxide 
of iron. At a temperature of 212°, it gives out part of its 
acid. It is nearly insoluble in water ; it does not intermix 
well with cold water, but repels it like lycopodium ; and 
boiling water gradually extracts the acid from it. It dis¬ 
solves in acids and in alcohol.” 
This salt, like that of zinc, appears to be frequently adul¬ 
terated ; the citrate and tartrate of iron, scented with a few 
drops of the oil of valerian, being sold for it. These, how¬ 
ever, are known by their solubility in water, and insolubility 
in spirit. 
Although it has been thought that, from the insolubility 
of valerianate of iron in water, its disagreeable odour, and 
liability to adulteration, it will be little resorted to in medi¬ 
cine, yet we should be inclined to view it as the most available 
of these compounds for veterinary purposes, since it would 
be acted upon by the acid of the succus gastricus ; and if so 
be there are any beneficial effects resulting from the use of 
valerianic acid, when it is combined with iron, the action of 
which is well known, we should anticipate a twofold good 
to result. We are, however, free to confess that we know 
nothing practically of the action of the valerianates on the 
system. But, perhaps, after this some of our readers may 
be induced to give them a trial. 
The dose of either salt, we presume, may be from half a 
drachm to a drachm. 
