56 REMEDY FOR ARSENICAL PREPARATIONS. 
This liquid, which is a solution of peracetate of iron with 
excess of base, precipitates arsenious and arsenic acid from all 
their solutions, either free, or combined with any base ; 500 
grains of it are sufficient to decompose 1880 grains of Fowler's 
solution, 
This result demonstrates that liquid peracetate of iron merits 
preference in cases of poisoning by arsenical compounds. It 
should be remembered that its power is more rapid in propor- 
tion as it is more diluted with water ; besides which, large 
dilution prevents all irritating action of the acetic acid set free. 
— Ibid, from Journ. de Ch. Med., Novembre, 1844, as in- 
serted in the Philosophical Magazine. 
[The mode of preparing the above compound is not very 
clearly stated, for the strength of the liquid perchloride of iron 
is not given. It may be presumed that peracetate of iron 
mixed with peroxide is to be employed ; the degree of excess 
of the latter is of little consequence, and the strength of the 
peracetate is limited by the employment of four parts of 
acetic acid of 1.08 made up to 16 parts with water, and this, 
it appears, is to be largely diluted before exhibition. — Ed. 
Phil Mag.] 
As this is an important antidotal remedy, and as the 
term "liquid perchloride of iron" may tend to confuse many, 
perhaps it will be proper to state that the same preparation 
may be made by taking any quantity of hydrated sesqui- 
oxide of iron, prepared according to the U. S. Pharm., 
dividing it into two parts, then adding to one portion just 
as much acetic acid, of any strength, as will dissolve it, 
afterwards adding the other portion of hydrated oxide, and 
finally, as much water as will make it of the consistence of 
cream. — Ed. Amer. Journ. Pharm. 
