140 
ON CHLORIDE OF IRON AND SODIUM, ETC. 
T have recently prepared syrup of chloride of iron and sodium. 
It is a permanent and very pleasant preparation, almost without 
any chalybeate taste ; and it has been used and approved by many 
of the most experienced and eminent physicians of this city. The 
formula is as follows : 
Take of Commercial Carb. Iron, - - one ounce troy. 
" Hydrochloric Acid, pure, sp. gr. 1.18 3 fluid ounces. 
" Bicarbonate of Soda, 18 drachms. 
" Boiling water, - 9 fluid ounces. 
" Fine powdered Sugar, 24 ounces troy. 
Prepare the solution of chloride of iron and soda as directed 
perchloride exists in the compound. Assuming this to be an error of the 
pen, and that he intended to express half an equivalent of sesqui-chloride, 
(FeCl }. ) united to one eq. of chloride of sodium, the proportion of the 
elements should be 90 of chlorine, 23.3 sodium and 28 iron, whereas the 
actual relation and amounts of these elements in the materials used in the 
formula, (admitting the subcarbonate of iron to be hydrated sesqui-oxide, 
the bicarbonate of soda to contain its full proportion of carbonic acid, and 
the muriatic acid (sp. gr. 1.18) to contain 35 per cent, of chlorine) are 4363 
grs. of chlorine, 2380 grs. of sodium, and 2194 grs. of iron. Now 2194 grs. 
of iron require 4231 grs. of chlorine to convert it into sesqui-chloride, 
which is the first step in the process, leaving but 132 grs. of chlorine to 
combine with the sodium which actually requires 3680 grs. to convert it 
into chloride of sodium. It must be apparent, if these numbers are nearly 
correct, that the conditions are present for the production of a compound 
analogous to that described above by Gmelin. As there is no carbonate of 
soda present in the solution, the soda must have combined with a full equiv- 
alent of chlorine, displacing a large portion of the iron from combination, 
which by uniting with the oxygen of the soda becomes sesqui-oxide, and 
which, in its nascent state, is redissolved by the sesqui-chloride of iron in 
the presence of the chloride of sodium. It is, therefore, quite probable that 
Mr. Cochran's preparation consists of sesqui-chloride of iron and sesqui- 
oxide of iron, united as oxychloride, combined with chloride of sodium ; a 
supposition rendered extremely probable by the effect of heat. These re- 
marks will apply to the other two compounds made in the same way, with 
potassa and ammonia. We have prepared the solution by the directions of 
Mr. C, and find that it is coagulated by heat and by caustic potassa. These 
suggestions are made entirely in reference to the chemical relations of the 
salt. As a new pharmaceutical preparation, it promises to be a valuable 
addition to the therapeutic agents of this class, and, as the author says, pre- 
sents some points peculiarly desirable in a ferruginous tonic. — Ed. Am. Jour. 
Pharm. 
