Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
July,  1889. 
Qlycerites  of  Ferrous  Salts. 
369 
So  far  as  appearance,  taste  and  properties  are  concerned,  these  gly- 
cerite  preparations  are  all  that  could  be  desired.  They  have  recently 
been  used  to  a  considerable  extent  in  hospital  and  private  practice.  I 
am  able  to  state  that  Dr.  Carmichael,  of  Mansfield  Place,  Edinburgh, 
has  used  the  glycerite  of  iodide  of  iron  pretty  extensively  of  late,  and 
I  have  further  testimony  regarding  the  glycerite  from  Dr.  Jamieson, 
resident  physician,  in  the  University  wards  under  Professor  Greenfield, 
Edinburgh  Royal  Infirmary.  He  says  the  drug  is  extremely  palata- 
ble in  this  form,  whereas  in  the  other  form  it.  is  not,  and  that  all  the 
properties  of  the  drug  are  retained,  and  that  it  agrees  extremely  well 
with  strumous  children. 
Dr.  Lockhart  Gillespie,  resident  physician  in  Dr.  Claud  Muirhead's 
ward,  Royal  Infirmary,  says  that  it  makes  a  very  nice  compound, 
which  to  all  appearance  has  good  keeping  properties,  and  serves  as  a 
good  tonic  for  convalescing  patients.  Dr.  Gillespie  states  that  he 
hopes  to  give  these  preparations  an  extended  trial  in  diseases  of 
children  during  the  coming  summer,  when  he  will  be  physician  to  the 
Sick  Childrens'  Hospital,  Edinburgh. 
I  would  submit  one  or  two  points  in  favor  of  the  ferrous  liquids 
being  prepared  with  glycerin. 
Glycerin  is  not  objectionable,  but  the  reverse,  in  all  cases  in  which 
ferrous  salts  are  used.  Bromides  and  iodides  are  said  to  be  useful  in 
diabetes,  but,  of  course,  as  syrups,  could  not  be  given ;  compounded 
as  glycerites,  however,  the  sugar  objection  is  at  once  overcome.  Some 
medical  authorities  are  said  to  be  averse  to  the  administration  of  sugar 
to  strumous  patients.  Syrup  frequently  causes  acidity.  Glycerin 
prevents  it. 
In  the  1885  formula  for  the  official  syrup  of  iodide  of  iron,  a  por- 
tion of  the  sugar  is  changed  into  invert  sugar  by  boiling,  with  the  view 
of  retarding  oxidation.  I  would  suggest  that  instead  of  this  a  certain 
proportion  of  glycerin  should  be  added.  I  believe  this  would  be  quite 
as  effectual  and  less  objectionable  than  hypophosphorous  acid.  But  I 
trust  I  may  be  excused  for  suggesting  that  it  might  be  worth  while 
considering  whether  the  syrup  might  not  be  discarded  altogether,  and 
the  glycerite  substituted. 
P  hen  ace  tin  has  been  found  of  some  value  in  whooping  cough.  Dr.  Her- 
mann gave  as  much  as  fifteen  grains  of  it  to  children  of  about  four  years, 
without  observing  any  ill  effect. — Munch.  Med.  Woch. 
