448 
ON  TINCTURA  FERRI  CHLORIDI,  U.  S.  P. 
vessels  than  in  the  former  method,  both  of  which  are  the  conse- 
quences of  employing  the  solution  of  Protochloride  in  an  undilu- 
ted state.  The  formula,  here  given,  is  a  modification  of  the  one 
above  and  has  yielded,  in  the  experience  of  the  writer,  very  satis- 
factory results,  and  constant  success  has  attended  it : — 
Take  of  Iron  wire  in  small  pieces,  3iij-. 
Muriatic  Acid,  ^xviiss. 
Alcohol,  Oiij. 
Nitric  Acid, 
Distilled  Water,  aa  Q.  S. 
Introduce  the  iron  into  a  flask  of  the  capacity  of  two  pints,  and 
pour  upon  it  eleven  troyounces  of  the  Muriatic  Acid  and  allow  the 
mixture  to  stand  until  effervescence  has  ceased.    Then  boil  until 
the  odor  of  Sulphuretted  Hydrogen  cannot  be  detected  in  its 
vapor,  decant  the  liquor  from  the  undissolved  Iron,  filter  it 
through  paper,  and  having  rinsed  the  flask  with  a  little  boiling 
water,  add  this  through  the  filter  to  the  rest  of  the  liquor.  Pour 
this  into  a  capsule  of  the  capacity  of  two  or  two  and  a  half  pints 
and  heat  to  the  boiling  point,  add  by  degrees  Nitric  Acid  until 
it  no  longer  produces  effervescence  by  fresh  additions  or  until 
the  liquor  has  changed  to  a  yellowish  brown  color.    Let  it  nearly 
cool  and  add  the  remainder  of  the  Muriatic  Acid,  stirring  fre- 
quently, until  the  precipitate  of  Sesquioxide  of  Iron  is  dissolved  ; 
add  sufficient  distilled  water  to  make  it  measure  a  pint  and  mix 
with  the  Alcohol.    It  will  yet  generally  have  a  greenish  color. 
This  arises  from  insufficient  oxidation  of  the  Iron,  as  before  re- 
marked, and  may  be  remedied  by  exposing  it  in  open,  wide- 
mouthed  vessels,  for  a  few  days,  to  the  action  of  the  air  and 
light.    It  is  remarkable  that  during  this  exposure,  when  etheri- 
fication  takes  place,  a  singular  precipitate  is  produced,  which 
when  washed  with  diluted  Muriatic  Acid  and  water,  proves  to  be 
a  light,  bulky,  white  substance  much  resembling  Sulphate  of 
Quinia  in  appearance.    It  is  tasteless,  slightly  soluble  in  water 
and  diluted  acids.    It  may  be  heated  to  redness  without  change 
and  seems  to  be  an  organic  compound  of  Protoxide  of  Iron;  of 
which  a  specimen  has  been  furnished  to  Professor  R.  E.  Rogers, 
of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
Sept  27^,  1865. 
