408 
EMPLOYMENT OF IODIDE OF SODIUM. 
dotal to various constitutional symptoms of syphilis, chiefly 
of the so-called tertiary group, and where mercury has been 
properly used beforehand ; in certain forms of rheumatism ; 
in chronic affections of the joints and bones of a scrofulous 1 
character, particularly where a stealthy inflammatory process 
has determined copious fibro-plastic deposition or hyper¬ 
trophy. If judiciously administered, it may be given in pro¬ 
gressively-increasing doses, where it is desirable to produce a 
decided alterative elfect on the system. M. Gamberini has 
furnished a brief notice respecting its use in the volume of 
Schmidt’s 4 Jahrbiicher’ for 1858. Reference is made to 116 
cases of constitutional syphilis in which it had been exhi¬ 
bited, and where it was found to have acted more rapidly 
than iodide of potassium, and often proved efficacious where 
the latter drug had been of little or no avail. It is there 
recommended to be given as follows: one scruple is to be 
dissolved in three ounces of distilled water, and this is 
to be swallowed in divided doses in the course of the day. 
After the lapse of two or three days, the above amount 
is to be augmented by the addition of six grains; and so 
on until eventually the patient comes to take two drachms, 
or even more, of the salt daily; the time for taking each 
dose being an hour before meals. 
44 Hitherto I have usually prescribed the iodide of sodium 
to the extent of five or six grains twice or thrice daily, 
dissolved in four ounces of compound decoction of sarsapa¬ 
rilla, which forms a convenient vehicle; occasionally, in pure 
water, with the addition of five grains of bicarbonate of 
soda to each dose; this serves to counteract acescency, 
and the consequent liberation of hyriodic acid in the 
stomach, which is sure to cause headache. In scrofulous 
complaints, I have given it combined with cod-liver oil, 
and with manifest benefit. A remarkable and unexpected 
effect was observed in one instance under this treatment 
for diseased bone, where a marked improvement of sight 
ensued from diminution of a nebulous condition of the 
cornea. In constitutional syphilis, 1 have found it advan¬ 
tageous occasionally to conjoin the use of the iodide with 
that of bichloride of mercury, should mercury have been 
previously withheld, or imperfectly introduced into the 
patient’s system. 
44 As a general rule, the iodide ought to be administered 
in plenty of liquid, and not on an empty stomach, as 
suggested by the above writer. It is readily soluble in water, 
has a cooling, saline taste, certainly preferable to that of 
the potassium compound, and by no means equally per¬ 
sistent in the throat.”—Condensed from the Lancet . 
