390 
LIQUOR  FERRI  IODIDI. 
A  pound  of  the  bruised  flowers  were  boiled  in  a  gallon  of 
water  holding  in  solution  some  carbonate  of  soda.  The  liquid 
was  expressed  from  the  flowers,  evaporated  to  twelve  ounces,  a 
slight  excess  of  sulphuric  acid  added,  and  the  whole  placed  in  a 
retort  and  heated  until  one  half  of  the  liquid  had  passed  over. 
The  distillate  thus  obtained  was  colorless,  and  had  a  strong  acid 
reaction  with  litmus,  and  afforded  no  precipitation  with  chloride 
of  barium.  Judging  from  the  odor  of  the  distillate,  the  acid 
present  was  believed  to  be  valerianic  acid. 
The  author,  in  conclusion,  believes  the  Anthemis  cotulato  con- 
tain oxalic,  valerianic  and  tannic  acids,  coloring  matter,  albu- 
men, acrid  fatty  substance  [oleo-resin  ?],  bitter  extractive  in- 
soluble in  water,  volatile  oil,  and  salts  of  potassa,  lime,  magnesia 
and  iron. 
This  plant,  says  the  author,  is  esteemed  as  tonic,  diaphoretic, 
and  emetic.  On  the  continent  of  Europe,  it  has  been  employed 
in  various  diseases,  especially  hysteria,  under  the  impression 
that  it  possessed  anti-spasmodic  powers;  and  if  I  am  correct  in 
regard  to  its  containing  valerianic  acid,  this  impression  may  not 
be  without  foundation.  The  fresh  flowers,  when  bruised  and 
applied  to  the  body,  are  said  to  be  capable  of  vesicating.  This 
I  have  found  to  be  true  from  positive  experiment  on  my  own 
person.    The  leaves  are  yet  more  active  in  this  respect. 
[_We  have  authority  for  stating  that  the  braised  fresh  plant  has  been 
employed  by  non-professional  doctors  as  a  depleting  vesicant  in  dropsy, 
and  with  great  success;  the  application  being  made  to  the  soles  of  the 
feet. — Editor.] 
LIQUOR  FERRI  IODIDI. 
By  Henry  Thayer,  M.  D. 
Included  in  the  list  of  unofficinal  formula,  published  in  the 
Proceedings  of  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association  for 
1857,  is  one  presented  by  James  C.  Leamy,  for  procuring  a 
solution  of  iodide  of  iron  in  glycerin.  By  his  formula,  a  solution 
of  the  iodide  is  first  formed  in  the  common  way,  then  added  to 
glycerin  and  the  water  evaporated. 
I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  using  glycerin  to  protect  the  salt. 
