554

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

sequently easy of digestion and absorption. Its constitutional effectsare analogous to those of the ferruginous compounds in general, andwhich have been already described. Its tonic and stimulant operation ispromoted by the myrrh: the excess of alkaline carbonate must not beforgotten in estimating the sources of activity of this medicine.

It is admissible in most of the cases in which ferruginous remedies areindicated; but it is especially serviceable in ainemia, chlorosis, atonicamenorrhcea, and hysterical affections. It is also employed with benefitin the hectic fever of phthisis and chronic mucous catarrhs. It iscontra-indicated in inflammatory conditions of the gastro-intestinal mem-brane.

The dose of it is one or two fluidounces three or four times a day. Ofcourse acids and acidulous salts, as well as all vegetable astringentswhich contain gallic or tannic acid, are incompatible with it.

Pilulm Ferri Composite, Ph . Lond. and Dubl. (Myrrh , pow-dered, sij.; carbonate of soda; sulphate of iron; treacle, aa 3j. Pubthe myrrh with the carbonate of soda; then, having added the sulphateof iron, rub them again; afterwards beat the whole in a vessel previouslywarmed, until incorporated).—This preparation is analogous in its com-position, effects, and uses, to the preceding one. Double decompositiontakes place between the two salts employed, aad the products arc sulphateof soda and carbonate of iron. The carbonate of soda is preferred tothe carbonate of potash, on account of the deliquescence of the latter.These pills, like the mixture, should only be made when required for use.

Twenty grains of this compound contain about one grain of protoxideof iron, or 1 T 7 ^ grs. of protocarbonate. The effects and uses are preciselythe same as the mistura ferri composita. The dose is from ten totwenty grains.

Carbonated Chalybeate Waters. —A most agreeable andefficacious mode of administering carbonate of the protoxide of ironis in the form of the carbonated chalybeate waters, as those of theIslington Spa, near London , of Tunbridge Wells , of Oddy’s salinechalybeate at Harrowgate, and of the Spa in Belgium . The last-mentioned water contains a considerable excess of carbonic acid (videp. 145). A convenient extemporaneous mode of administering carbonateof iron in imitation of these waters, is by intimately mixing equal parts(as 10 or 12 grains) of sulphate of iron and sesquicarbonate of soda, anddissolving in a tumblerful of carbonic acid water (soda water of theshops): the solution is to be taken in a state of effervescence.

Potas'sm Ferro-Tar’tras. — Fer'ro-Tar'trate of Pot'ash .

History. —This preparation was first described by Angelus Sala atthe commencement of the seventeenth century. It is sometimes termedchalybeated tartar ( tartarus clialybeatus seu ferratus), tartarized iron(ferrum tartarizatum ); ferri tartarum, Ph . Ed.; tartras potasses etferri, Ph . Dub.; ferri potassio-tartras, Ph . Lond.

Preparation.- —Soubeiran ( Nouv. Traite de Pharrn. ii. 486) directs itto be prepared thus :—Boil together one part of powdered bitartrate ofpotash, six parts of water, and as much moist hydrated sesquioxide ofiron as the liquid will dissolve. Filter and evaporate to dryness by agentle heat.