4 
ORIGINAL 
COMMUNICATIONS. 
cessary here to say, in regard to it, that the patient for whom 
it was employed, recovered. 
The cases here quoted, serve the double purpose of show- 
ing the fatal consequences which may result from the loss of 
time consumed in the preparation of the antidote, and that 
freshly prepared hydrated peroxide of iron is not neces- 
sary to render arsenious acid insoluble and innocuous. 
Theory and experience, then, both concur to sustain the 
position which I assumed at the commencement, and, I trust, 
will induce those whose province it is,, to be constantly prepared 
with the means which have been shown to be worthy of firm 
reliance. Did not our knowledge of theproperties of peroxide of 
iron teach us that it can undergo no change by age or exposure, 
I should not rely so confidently upon the single case known 
to me; but the result in that case was so exactly in conformi- 
ty with the inductions from theory, that it deserves to be re- 
garded as positive evidence. 
Independently of my own observations, the experiments of 
Dr. Von Specz,* Professor of Chemistry in the Theresian 
Academy of Vienna, sustain the opinion herein advocated, 
by showing, 1st, "that this preparation, when properly made, 
and preserved in bottles, with good glass stoppers, will retain 
its virtues for a very considerable time." 2d, "that rust 
of iron, and haematite, although they do not prevent all the 
bad effects of arsenic on the system, may, in defect of the hy- 
drated peroxide of iron, be employed as antidotes to that poi- 
son." And the case reported by Mr. John RobsonI also 
corroborates this view. He having no hydrated peroxide of 
iron at hand, administered six drachms of the carbonate of 
iron in water, in two draughts. " The patient said his sto- 
mach felt cooler. His pulse fell from 130 to 112. The pain 
ceased, or nearly so." Now it will be observed that in none 
of the cases here referred to, was freshly prepared hydrated 
peroxide of iron the agent by which the antidotal effects were 
* American Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 21, page 519. 
f " " " " " 20, " 222. 
