1.6 
Syrup  of  Iodide  of  Iron. 
f  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
\    January,  1901. 
Some  of  these  have  achieved  quite  an  enviable  reputation  for 
preparations  made  from  plants  of  their  own  culture. 
Could  not  American  pharmacists  in  the  rural  districts  take  up 
drug  culture,  and  might  it  not  be  a  notable  feature  to  be  able  to 
advertise :  "  Rhubard,  ipecac  and  jalap  fresh  from  our  own  drug 
farm?" 
Pharmacists  can  invoke  the  assistance  of  agricultural  experiment 
stations.  Many  of  these  institutions  can  and  will  carry  out  experi- 
ments and  give  reports  which  from  a  horticultural  standpoint  will 
be  of  value. 
Cultivation  of  good-sized  plots  in  a  variety  of  locations  with 
records  of  soil,  climate  and  results,  while  it  may  not  prove  im- 
mediately remunerative,  will  furnish  a  vast  amount  of  information 
and  interest.  Wholesale  druggists  can  materially  assist  by  supply- 
ing seeds  which  are  authentic  and  reliable. 
As  an  easy  and  instructive  experiment  for  the  beginner,  I  suggest 
the  cultivation  of  certain  alkaloidai  plants  which  are  indigenous 
(stramonium,  hydrastis,  etc.),  with  a  view  of  obtaining  records  of 
assay  of  wild  and  cultivated  drugs  grown  in  the  same  locality. 
In  a  succeeding  communication  I  shall  bring  together  notes  of 
methods  followed  in  the  cultivation  of  certain  medicinal  plants 
which  have  come  under  my  observation. 
THE  DISCOLORATION  OF  SYRUP  OF  IODIDE  OF  IRON. 
By  F.  W.  Haussmann. 
The  causes  of  the  color  change  in  syrup  of  ferrous  iodide  have 
frequently  been  investigated,  and  the  published  statements  resulting 
from  these  researches  cannot  be  regarded  as  conclusive. 
Chemical  decomposition  of  the  ferrous  iodide,  indicated  by  the 
liberation  of  iodine,  or  the  formation  of  ferric  compounds,  furnish  the 
basis  upon  which  the  majority  of  investigators  agree.  A  considera- 
tion of  the  process  of  preparation,  involving  the  several  steps, 
especially  the  common  mistake  of  the  tyro  to  filter  the  iron  solu- 
tion while  yet  brown,  will  readily  explain  the  universal  acceptance 
of  such  statements. 
It  has,  however,  been  observed  by  many  pharmacists  that  the 
syrup,  despite  the  efforts  at  preservation  by  following  a  number  of 
