224 
ANTIDOTE TO PRUSSIC ACID. 
with the iron can be timely formed. In suggesting this pro- 
cess, we claim only the merit of having noticed the neces- 
sity for presenting the iron in a double state of oxidation — 
of protoxide and peroxide — along with an alkaline carbo- 
nate, and of having made known a method for using the 
same as a remedy, safely, practically, and effectually. 
As cases of poisoning by prnssic acid are becoming, un- 
fortunately, more and more numerous, it has occurred to 
to us that a simpler, though certainly inferior mode of using 
the remedy proposed by us, might have a chance of being 
more frequently available. By the first method the anti- 
dote would require to be prepared and kept in readiness, by 
practical chemists and medical men. The plan which we 
are about to propose renders this less urgently necessary. 
The materials for the antidote are among the most common 
articles of every laboratory or drug shop. 
The English medical practitioner, who lately fell a victim 
to prussic acid, and who lived twenty minutes after being 
seen by his brother and partner in business, would in all 
human probability have recovered, had the following reme- 
dy been known and used — since the parties were in their 
own house, and had a laboratory close at hand. The ma- 
terials required to form the antidote, are sulphate of pro- 
toxide of iron or green vitriol, tincture of the muriate of 
iron, and carbonate of potash, or the ordinary salt of tartar 
of the shops. The principle is the same as that first stated — 
the presentation, namely, of the protoxide and peroxide of 
iron to the prussic acid, in the presence of an alkaline car- 
bonate, so as to cause its neutralization, but in a different 
way. We will now endeavour to explain how and in what 
proportions the different substances, composing the antidote 
are to be used, so as to secure the end aimed at. 
As according to Phillips' observations as well as our own, 
one fluid ounce of the tincure of the muriate of iron con- 
