PHARMACEUTICAL  NOTES. 
31 
After  considerable  experience  in  making  this  preparation,  the 
firm  of  which  the  writer  is  a  member  has  found  it  advisable  to 
depart  in  some  respects  from  the  officinal  formula,  and  by  doing 
so  have  produced  a  more  stable  preparation,  which  is  but  slightly 
hygroscopic,  and  is  always  ready  to  be  formed  into  pills  of  firm 
consistence.    Our  formula  is  as  follows  : 
Take  of  Protosulphate  of  Iron,  8  ounces  ; 
Bicarbonate  of  Soda,  6  ounces  ; 
Sugar,  in  fine  powder,  41  ounces  ; 
Clarified  Honey,  J  ounce  ; 
Syrup,  a  sufficient  quantity ; 
Water,  a  sufficient  quantity.  f 
Dissolve  each  salt  separately  in  a  sufficient  quantity  of  water, 
and  add  the  soda  solution  to  the  iron  solution  gradually,  con- 
stantly stirring  until  the  effervescence  ceases,  when  add  about  a 
fluid-ounce  of  syrup,  and  again  stir.  After  the  carbonate  of  iron 
has  subsided,  draw  off  the  supernatant  liquid  and  repeat  the 
washing  with  cold  water  slightly  sweetened  with  syrup,  until  the 
washings  are  free  from  saline  taste,  when,  having  again  drawn 
ofi*  the  supernatant  liquid,  transfer  the  precipitate  to  a  muslin 
cloth,  and  express  as  much  of  the  water  as  possible. 
To  the  precipitate,  in  a  porcelain  dish  placed  over  a  water- 
bath,  add  the  honey  and  sugar,  and  with  frequent  stirring  evapo- 
rate to  the  pilular  consistence. 
Prepared  as  above  the  mass  is  of  fine  consistence,  of  light 
color,  and  contains  a  large  proportion  of  carbonic  acid,  which 
may  be  shown  upon  the  addition  of  a  few  drops  of  diluted  sul- 
phuric acid  to  a  small  portion. 
Syrup  of  Bromide  of  Iron. 
The  following  formula,  with  careful  manipulation,  will  furnish 
a  satisfactory  preparation  : 
Take  of  Bromine,  9  drachms  ; 
Card  Teeth,  4J  drachms ; 
Sugar,  10  troy  ounces  ; 
Water,  a  sufficient  quantity.  * 
To  the  bromine  add  five  fluidounces  of  water  in  a  flask  of  the 
