110 
PILULA  FERRI  IODIDI. 
to  an  improvement.  The  method  presented  by  Mr.  Bedford  in 
the  American  Journal  of  Pharmacy,  xxxvii.  184,  forms  a  more 
pliable  mass  than  the  officii!  al,  and  is  very  convenient  for  dispensing, 
but  is  objectionable,  not  only  on  account  of  the  ready  tendency  to 
decomposition  of  the  honey  used,  but  it  does  not  furnish  so  dense 
a  mass  and  consequently  is  not  so  permanent  as  the  officinal  pill. 
After  repeated  trials  I  have  been  led  to  adopt  the  following 
formula  which,  with  ordinary  skill  and  care,  will  furnish  a  pill  as 
handsome  in  appearance  as  the  much  esteemed  Blancard,  and 
fully  equal  to  the  officinal.  Great  care,  however,  is  necessary 
in  the  selection  of  the  reduced  iron,  as  much  of  it  in  the  market 
will  be  found  utterly  worthless. 
Take  of  Iodine,  80  grains. 
Reduced  Iron,  40  grains. 
Sugar,  in  fine  powder,  100  grains. 
Gum  Arabic,  in  fine  powder,  20  grains. 
Water,  50  minims. 
Marshmallow,  in  fine  powder,  80  grs.  or  q.  s. 
Rub  the  Iodine,  in  a  glass  mortar  slightly  warmed,  to  a  fine 
powder  ;  then  add  the  water  and  afterwards  the  reduced  iron  in 
small  portions.  Triturate  until  the  mixture  becomes  a  dark  gray 
color  and  there  ceases  to  be  any  indication  of  free  iodine  to  the 
usual  test. 
The  sugar  and  gum  arabic  are  now  to  be  added  and  the  mix- 
ture rubbed  into  a  smooth  pasty  mass.  Lastly,  add  the  marsh- 
mallow,  and  when  thoroughly  incorporated,  divide  into  ninety- 
six  pills. 
In  forming  the  pills  a  small  quantity  of  reduced  iron  may  be 
used  as  a  dusting  powder  to  prevent  them  adhering  together, 
and  still  further  protect  them  from  the  oxidizing  influence  of  the 
air.  They  are  now  to  be  only  partially  dried  at  a  temperature 
not  exceeding  120°  F.,  and  when  cool  coated  with  balsam  tolu. 
Each  pill  contains  one  grain  of  iodide  of  iron  wTith  an  excess  of 
reduced  iron,  and  are  prefectly  devoid  of  iodine  odor.  Pills 
prepared  nearly  one  year  ago,  in  accordance  with  the  above 
formula,  upon  examination  show  no  sign  of  decomposition. 
Dresden,  Ohio,  Feb.  6,  1868. 
