PHARMACEUTICAL NOTICES. 
33 
11. Not to soften in boiling water. 
12. To soften like dry glue or some resins, but not to fuse, when 
heated on glass short of the temperature of 200°, and to be con- 
verted into a brittle, resin-like, light brown substance, giving 
off a light blue smoke, having an evident odor of wax. 
13. About, or perhaps considerably above the temperature of 
.200°, the brittle brown substance of 12 became blackish, and the 
substance finally evaporated, leaving a white, brittle, insipid ash, 
which was insoluble in water. 
PHARMACEUTICAL NOTICES. 
By A. B. Taylor. 
Syrup of 'the Iodide of Zinc. 
Iodide of Zinc has been used both internally and externally, 
though we believe less frequently in the former than in the latter 
method. It is tonic and astringent in its action, combining to 
some extent the properties of Iodine and of the Zinc preparations : 
though, like the Iodides of Lead, Iron, Silver and Mercury, appa- 
ently exhibiting chiefly the medicinal action of its metallic con- 
stituent. Perhaps the best general form for administration is that 
of a syrup, as it is otherwise (like the Iodide of Iron) exceedingly 
liable to decomposition. Dr. A. S. Thompson, of London, several 
years ago suggested such a preparation ; but we have not seen 
any published formula for it. Having had occasion to prepare it, 
we have used the following : 
f&. Iodine - - - - 3xii — Bij. 
Zinc - - - - 5j* 
Sugar - - - - lb.i. (avoir.) 
Water - - - - f^ix. or sufficient 
to make one pint of Syrup. 
The Zinc having been finely granulated, is added (together with 
the Iodine) to the water, in an evaporating dish, and gently heated, 
until the Iodine is completely taken up by the Zinc, — which is 
*The combining proportions of the two elements in the salt are about 4 
parts of Iodine to 1 part of Zinc ; but it is advisable to have a considerable 
excess of zinc in preparing the iodide. 
