114 
ON THE FROTO-IODIDE OF IRON, &C. 
result of my observations* is, as is well known, a solid salt, 
prepared by evaporating to dryness the solution of the 
proto-iodide. During this evaporation, this salt is partly de- 
composed by the influence of atmospheric oxygen, and this 
alteration continues, even in the bottle in which it is pre- 
served, for there is always present a certain quantity of air, 
which is renewed each time the bottle is opened. This al- 
teration is the more easily produced, since the salt is deli- 
quescent, and the moisture absorbed promotes the action of the 
0x3' gen. 
* The most recent Pharmacopoeias as the Codex, the Elements of Materia 
Medica and Pharmacy, by M. Bouchardet, and even the last edition of the 
excellent treatises of M. Soubeiran, published in 1840, only give the pre- 
paration of the solid iodide, and all the formulae which they report from 
MM. Pierquin, Ricord, &c, indicate this same iodide. Ii is evident that 
in composing these formulas, the authors are not concerned on account of 
the ready decomposition of the ferruginous salt in contact with air. It is 
this same iodide which is concerned in the formulae recently pub- 
lished. 
It is true, that in the latter numbers of the Journal of Pharmacy, there is 
given a formula for the syrup of proto-iodide of iron, prepared with a solu- 
tion of this salt; but independently of this preparation being colored, 
which indicates that it is defective, the publication of this formula is long 
posterior to mine, made in 1838, in the compte rendu de la Societe dt Mede- 
cine de Lyon, where, from page 176 to 181, an account is given of my so- 
lution of pure proto-iodide of iron, and of a syrup which I prepared by mix- 
ing it with syrup of gum. It is from this account, which was distributed 
in great number to learned societies and medical journals, both in France 
and elsewhere, that some collections of therapeutical observations have 
spoken of the solution and syrup of proto-iodide of iron. This syrup has 
been prepared for more than three years, according to my directions, in 
most of the shops of Lyons. One collection of formulae, published during 
the current year, (that of M. Foy,) gives, even under my name, formula? 
for the proto-iodide of iron, which are not exactly such as 1 have pointed 
out. Finally, the therapeutical application of the colorless solution of 
proto-iodide of iron, as well as the directions for its pharmaceutical prepa- 
ration, in which the pure proto-salt is preserved without alteration, really 
belong to me. No one, before myself, had pointed out the necessity of 
using a proto-iodide not altered by the air ; the whole therefore is not less 
new than the employment of the same preparation in the treatment of 
phthisis pulmonalis. 
