404 
ON  SYRUP  OF  PYROPHOSPHATE  OF  IRON. 
Subcarbonate  of  bismuth  is  entirely  insipid  and  excites  no 
disgust.  It  is  given  before  meals.  Adults  take  it  in  water,  and 
children  in  honey.  It  may  be  made  into  lozenges.  The  doze 
for  adults  is  from  15  to  45  grains,  taken  three  times  a  day  in 
increasing  doses. — B.  $  F.  Med.  Qhir.  Review. 
ON  SYRUP  OF  PYROPHOSPHATE  OF  IRON. 
By  the  Editor. 
In  the  remarks  on  syrup  of  pyrophosphate  of  iron,  from  the 
paper  of  M.  E.  Robiquet,  inserted  at  page  401,  the  reader  will 
observe  a  want  of  clearness  that  leaves  one  in  doubt  in  regard  to 
the  mode  of  making  the  preparation.  He  says  that  citrate  of 
ammonia  or  a  citro-ammoniacal  liquid  will  dissolve  the  ferru- 
ginous pyrophosphate,  without  giving  the  quantity  or  mode  of 
application  of  the  solvent ;  and  in  the  formula  for  the  syrup 
this  solvent  is  not  even  mentioned.  To  satisfy  ourselves  on  this 
point  we  prepared  some  hydrated  pyrophosphate  of  sesqui-oxide 
of  iron,  and  found  that  neutral  citrate  of  ammonia  did  not  dis- 
solve it ;  we  then  tried  an  alkaline  citrate  and  found  it  success- 
ful, and  now  offer  the  following  formula  to  such  of  our  readers 
as  may  incline  to  make  the  preparation.  The  formula  of  Robi- 
quet is  so  slightly  ferruginous  that  it  has  been  thought  better  to 
increase  its  strength  to  eight  grains  to  the  fluid  ounce,  or  one 
grain  to  each  teaspoonful. 
Take  of  Pyrophosphate  of  soda,  120  grains. 
Solution  of  persulphate  of  iron, 
Water,  of  each  a  sufficient  quantity, 
Citric  acid,  40  grains. 
Liquor  ammonia,  q.  s.  or  about  1|  fluid  drachms. 
Syrup  of  orange  flowers,  2  fluid  ounces. 
Simple  syrup,  q.  s. 
Dissolve  the  pyrophosphate  in  four  ounces  of  water ;  add  the 
solution  of  sesquioxide  of  iron  until  it  ceases  to  precipitate  ;  then 
wash  the  white  gelatinous  pyrophosphate  of  iron,  in  a  filter  till 
the  washings  pass  tasteless.  After  draining,  the  pyrophosphate  is 
triturated  in  a  mortar  with  the  citric  acid  previously  pow- 
dered, and  the  ammonia  gradually  added,  with  constant  stirring, 
