SACCHARINE   STRENGTH  OF    SYRUP   OF  IODIDE   OF  IRON. 
59 
assume  a  more  complex  form,  nor  less  calculated  to  effect  a  good 
product. 
Take  Pure  Iodine,  5  drachms. 
Iron  turnings,  separated  by  the  magnet,     6  drachms. 
Distilled  water,  3|  ounces. 
Powdered  sugar,  7  ounces. 
Introduce  the  iodine,  iron,  and  2h  ounces  of  water  into  a  glass 
flask  ;  rotate  in  the  hand  for  some  minutes,  until  the  solution 
loses  its  red  color  and  becomes  unaffected  by  cold  amidine.  Filter 
the  solution  in  the  sugar,  washing  the  residue  with  the  remaining 
portion  of  water,  and  dissolve,  by  the  aid  of  a  water  bath. 
The  above  proportions,  when  combined,  will  measure  exactly  8 
fluid  ounces  ;  should  there,  however,  be  any  deficiency,  it  may  be 
made  up  by  the  addition  of  simple  syrup. 
The  iron,  it  will  be  observed,  is  taken  in  double  the  phavmaco- 
poeial  quantity,  as  this  amount  is  found  to  expedite  the  operation 
more  rapidly,  without  having  undue  influence  otherwise,  while  the 
application  of  heat  during  the  first  part  of  the  process  is  alto- 
gether avoided;  as  the  whole  amount  of  syrup,  viz:  8  ounces, 
contains  333*82  grains  Avoirdupois  of  protoxide  of  iron,  the  pro- 
portion in  each  fluid  drachm  will  be  found  to  be  5*21  grains. 
The  concentrated  form  is  an  advantage  in  a  pharmaceutical 
point  of  view,  as  it  can  easily  be  reduced  to  any  given  strength 
by  the  addition  of  syrup,  orange-flower  water,  or  other  vehicle,  at 
the  will  of  the  practitioner ;  it  is  also  less  likely  to  spoil,  from 
being  less  exposed  to  atmospheric  agency.  I  am  disposed  to 
think,  that  from  the  number  of  attempts  made  to  reduce  this  com- 
pound to  what  might  be  thought  more  eligible  forms  in  medical 
practice,  all  have  failed  to  realize  the  test  of  experience,  except 
this  alone,*  for,  chemically  and  medically  considered,  I  believe  it  to 
be  a  most  interesting  and  valuable  preparation  for  the  different 
objects  of  its  use. 
Kingstown. 
[Note. — The  solution  of  iodide  of  iron  of  the  United  States  Pharmaco- 
poeia, is  also  obnoxious  to  the  criticism  of  M.  Tozier  on  the  British  formulae. 
Twelve  ounces  (Troy)  of  sugar  are  contained  in  twenty  fluid  ounces  of  the 
solution,  a  less  proportion  than  in  the  formulae  of  Great  Britain.  This  arose 
from  the  idea  of  retaining  the  old  name  "  Liquor,"  which  could  not  have  been 
appended  for  a  thick  syrup.   Experience  proves,  however,  that  although  the 
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