Part II.

Materia Medica.

135

3. In most of the cachexia;, and it has been lately recom-

mended as a specific in cancer.

4. In general debility produced by disease, or excessive

haemorrhage.

Where either a preternatural discharge, or suppression ofnatural secretions, proceeds from a langour and sluggishnessof the fluids, and weakness of the solids, this metal by increa-sing the motion of the former, and the strength of the latter,will suppress the flux, or remove the suppression ; but wherethe circulation is already too quick, the solids too tense andrigid, where there is any stricture or spasmodic contractionof the vessels, iron and all its preparations will aggravateboth distempers.

Iron probably has no action on the body when taken intothe stomach, unless it be oxidixed. But during its oxidize-ment, hydrogen gas is evolved ; and, accordingly, we find thatfetid eructations are considered as a proof of the medicine ha-ving taken effect. It can only be exhibited internally in thestate of filings, which may be given in doses of from five totwenty grains, either in the form of powder, with some aro-matic, or made into an electuary or bolus or pills with anybitter extract. Iron-wire is to be preferred for pharmaceuti-cal preparations, both because it is the most convenient form,and because it is always made of the purest iron.

Ferri squamje. Ed.

FeRBI SQUAMiE oxydl Dub.

The scales of iron. The scales of the oxide.

When iron is heated to redness in the smith's forge, to ren-der it more malleable, its surface becomes oxidized by the ac-tion of the atmospheric air; and as the oxide formed does notadhere to the iron, it is easily separated by percussion on theanvil, and flies off in the state of sparks, which, when cool,constitute the scales of iron. In these the iron is oxidized tothat degree in which it is soluble in acids, without the pro-duction of hydrogen gas; therefore, when taken into the sto-mach, they do not produce the distension and flatulence oc-casioned by the use of the filings.

Sulphas fekkl Dub. Ed. Lond.Sulphate of iron. Green vitriol. Copperas.

The sulphate of iron of commerce is commonly obtained bythe spontaneous oxidizement of sulphuretted iron, and subse-quent lixiviation and crystallization. It is never pure, and