TANNATE OF IRON IN CHLOROSIS. 
63 
ART. XIX. — THE TANNATE OF IRON IN THE TREATMENT 
OF CHLOROSIS. 
By Benedetti. 
This substance, according to our author, excels all other 
medicines in the treatment of chlorosis. In evidence of this 
he cites cases from his own, and from the practice of Ma- 
jocchi, affirming that the treatment by the tannate of iron is 
successful in from twelve to twenty-five days, according to 
the severity of the case. It is to be administered in doses 
of from eight to thirty grains in the day. It acts more rapidly 
in persons of sanguine temperament. The mode of pre- 
paration, as described by M. V. Gaddi, is as follows : — A 
very pure sulphate of iron is made by the action of dilute 
sulphuric acid on iron filings; from this sulphate, by means 
of carbonate of soda, a carbonate of iron is precipitated, 
which is washed several times, and then dried on the stove. 
It is now pulverized and thrown by small portions at a 
time into a boiling solution of very pure tannic acid in a 
porcelain vessel — the proportions used being very nearly 
five parts of the carbonate to one of the acid — or 440 parts 
of the carbonate to 90 of the tannic acid. The fluid is to 
be stirred constantly till the effervescence ceases. It is after- 
wards exposed to a heat equal to the boiling point of water, 
till it acquires the consistence of thick soup. It is then with- 
drawn from the fire and poured on porcelain plates, and 
dried with the assistance of heat. The tannate of iron thus 
obtained is of a crimson color, insipid, insoluble, uncrystal- 
lized, though before being dried it appears in long needle*. 
It may be administered either suspended in syrup, or still 
more conveniently in the form of pills. 
vol . XIII.- -NO. I. 
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