General therapeutics and materia medica: adapted for a medical text book (Volume 2).

  • Dunglison, Robley, 1798-1869.
Date:
1843
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: General therapeutics and materia medica: adapted for a medical text book (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    and dysentery. The special cases, however, that require their use, will be readily appreciated by an examination into their individual properties. 33. FERRI SUBOAR'BONAS.—SUBCARBONATE OF IRON. This preparation, called also Sesquioxide of Iron, Red Oxide of Iron, and Carbonate of Iron, is obtained by mixing solutions of sulphate of iron and carbonate of soda together, stirring the mixture, and setting it by, that the precipitate may subside. This is then washed with hot water and dried. When the two solutions are mixed together,the sulphuric acid of the sulphate of iron lays hold of the soda of the carbonate of soda, whilst the carbonic acid of the latter lays hold of the oxide of iron of the former. We thus have carbonate of protoxide of iron; but, in the process of drying, the protoxide attracts oxygen from the air, and carbonic acid is disengaged, so that there ultimately remains sesquioxide of iron, with a trace of car- bonic acid. Subcarbonate of iron is a rust-coloured powder, possessing a marked chalybeate taste. It is sometimes adulterated with brick- dnst, which is detected by exposing it to the action of dilute chlorohydric acid, which dissolves the whole of the subcarbonate, and leaves the impurities. This is one of the most used of the preparations of iron, and is adapted for most cases in which chalybeates in general are need- ed. It was much employed by Mr. Carmichael as a remedy in cancer; but although the cachectic condition appeared to be oc- casionally benefited by it, the results have not been encouraging. In neuralgia, and especially in neuralgia faciei, it was intro- duced, many years ago, to the notice of the profession, by Mr. Benjamin Hutchinson, who published numerous successful cases of its employment; and since that time, many testimonials have been adduced in its favour. In the author's hands, in one or two inveterate cases, it has proved signally successful. The novelty of Mr. Hutchinson's plan was to give it in very large doses: 3ij. and even 3ss. and more in the course of the twenty-four hours. Should it disagree with the stomach, an aromatic may be added —for example, five grains of ginger powder, or of the Pulvis aromahcus, to each dose. If signs of polyaemia or hyperemia exist, these should be first removed; and, should they supervene on its employment, antiphlogistics may be needed, and the sub- carbonate be resumed after their removal. It may, likewise be necessary to give, occasionally, a brisk cathartic.