PRESERVATION OP PROTIODTDE OF IRON. 
13 
for the labor of the investigation which it merits, than the re- 
flection that they are about to increase their ability for useful- 
ness, and to divest the dreadful anticipation of poison of some of 
its risks and horrors. In treating this important question, 
my sole motive has been the promulgation of truth, and ba- 
nishment of error; and in combating the opinions of many 
who are entitled to the highest respect and confidence, I 
have deemed it indispensable to my own immunity from a 
charge of rashness, to produce evidence of the strongest cha- 
racter, depending upon facts which, it is believed, cannot be 
refuted. The introduction of therapeutical considerations has 
been avoided as much as possible, and only employed when 
essential to establish the value of particular preparations, and 
to enlighten pharmaceutical research. 
Philadelphia, March 21th, 1840, 
ART. II.— ON THE POWER OF SACCHARINE SUBSTANCES 
IN GENERAL, AND UNCRYSTALLIZABLE SUGAR IN PAR- 
TICULAR, OF PROTECTING THE SOLUTION OF PROT- 
IOD1DE OF IRON FROM DECOMPOSITION. By William 
Procter, Jr. 
To be able to protect the solution of protiodide of iron 
from decomposition, and, consequently, to preserve its medi- 
cinal power unimpaired, has been a desideratum to the medi- 
cal practitioner, as owing to the gradual but certain process 
of reduction of the strength of the solution, this preparation 
is one to which the physician is compelled to look with sus- 
picion, not on account of any original want of power in the re- 
medy, but by reason of the process of deterioration which is 
constantly progressing, often, notwithstanding the recom- 
mended precaution of keeping metallic iron in the solution. 
It is true that, when this is done in a proper manner, there is 
