Ferrum Dialysatum

Dialyzed iron. This preparation is made by the process of diffusion, and is iron in the colloid state. It is odorless, without the styptic taste of the ferruginous preparations, does not blacken the tongue and teeth, is free from irritant action, and does not constipate. It is precipitated by sulphuric acid, by acids, and by various salts, but neither by alcohol nor sugar. It is doubtful whether it be a good form in which to administer iron. Dose, τη v— 3 j. If any given preparation has a styptic taste, and acts on the tongue and teeth, it is not genuine.

Reduced iron is one of the most useful ferruginous preparations for internal administration, comparatively tasteless, and therefore easy of administration, and readily soluble in the juices of the stomach. The objection to its use is the occurrence of eructations, sulphureted or phosphureted, owing to the oxidation of the iron, the evolution of hydrogen, and the combination of the nascent hydrogen with sulphur or phosphorus.

The so-called subcarbonate of iron is really little more than the red oxide. In the official pilulae ferri carbonatis, the oxidation of the iron and the loss of carbonic acid are prevented by the sugar. This preparation is very soluble in the stomach-juice, and is readily assimilated. The troches of carbonate of iron are convenient for administration to children, who take them readily. The hydrated oxide of iron is solely used as the antidote to arsenic in solution. For remarks on its administration I have to refer the reader to the article on Arsenic. Corresponding to these carbonates are the pilulae ferri compositae, which contain iron in the form of the carbonate, sulphate of soda, and myrrh. The mistura ferri composita is also a solution of the carbonate, contains myrrh and sulphate of potash, with a sufficient quantity of the latter to form an emulsion which suspends the iron.

Of the phosphates the better preparation is the pyrophosphate, which is readily soluble, unirritating, and easily assimilable. The sulphate is an active astringent, and is an efficient remedy. When prescribed in pillular form the dried sulphate should be used, as the sulphate in efflorescing destroys the cohesion of the mass. Of the several solutions intended for topical use, the liquor ferri subsulphatis, or Monsel's solution, is the best, as it is powerfully styptic without being corrosive. The tincture of the chloride of iron is most agreeably taken in the form of Creuse's tasteless preparation, which appears to be an efficient chalybeate without possessing the causticity of the pharmaceutical preparation. In the sirup of the iodide of iron and the sirup of the iodides of iron and manganese, sugar is used to prevent oxidation of the iron and the setting free of the iodine. In the iodide-of-iron pill the same result is obtained by sugar or gelatin coating.

Less irritating to the stomach, but probably less efficient as chalyb-eates, are the combinations of iron with vegetable acids. These may be administered dissolved in Rhine, Catawba, or sherry wine. An elegant mode of prescribing them is in effervescence—the citrates or tartrates dissolved in a solution of citric or tartaric acid, and poured into a solution of sodium or potassium bicarbonate—to be drunk in effervescence.

Antagonists and Incompatibles

The carbonates are incompatible with acids and acidulous salts and vegetable astringents; the citrates and tartrates with mineral acids, alkalies and their carbonates, tannic acid; the iodides with acids, acidulous salts, alkalies and their carbonates, lime-water, vegetable astringents; the tincture of the chloride, with alkalies and their carbonates, lime-water, carbonate of lime, magnesia and its carbonate, and astringent vegetables turn it black.

Synergists

All agents promoting constructive metamorphosis are synergistic to iron, especially animal aliment, the simple, aromatic, and astringent bitters, cinchona, manganese, bismuth, etc.