PHARMACEUTICAL NOTICES. 
281 
medicine was but little known, and its use being then limited 
to a few physicians, I confined myself to the preparation of 
the few ounces indicated in the recipe. Since then, the 
highly advantageous results that have proceeded from its use 
in scrofula, and other inveterate diseases, have caused it to be 
more generally employed. At present, the knowledge of it 
is widely diffused through the country, and its consumption 
such as obliges us to make it in quantities requiring near a 
pound of iodine at a time. For this purpose a large porcelain 
capsule is necessary, or some iron vessel free from rust; but, 
being unable to procure the former of sufficient capacity, and 
in the absence of the latter, I had recourse to a large open 
mouth glass vessel, which was fractured in the operation. 
Experientia docet is an apt motto in our business, and it is 
this result which induces me to mention the circumstance, in 
order to put others upon their guard against a similar occur- 
rence. The iodine is directed to be mixed with half the 
required quantity of water, and the iron gradually added. 
These substances have such a powerful affinity for each other 
that a few minutes after their contact they combine with the 
sudden production of great heat. In the case of the accident 
referred to, I made use of a gallon glass recipient, and at the 
commencement of the chemical action the almost instantaneous 
liberation of caloric severed my vessel and caused me to lose 
my materials. Upon a prior occasion, using still less water 
to accommodate the dimensions of a porcelain capsule, ebulli- 
tion ensued from the violent reaction, with disengagement of 
violet colored fumes, and ejection of a large portion of the 
liquid. In my anxiety to save as much of the product as 
possible, by gathering that which spread over the counter, I 
inhaled sufficient to produce the symptoms which usually 
attend poisoning by iodine. These were violent pain in the 
epigastrium, rigors, headache, colic, together with pain in the 
eyes, and dimness of sight. These passed off at the end of 
the third day. 
Formerly there was an abundance of English iodine in the 
market, exhibited in a granular form, of a black color, and 
