part n. Materia Medica. — Ferri ramenta et Fila. 301

lescence from almost all acute diseases, and has been lately re-commended as a specific in cancer. Tiie use of iron is con-tra-indicated whenever the inflammatory diathesis prevails, orthere is any particular fulness of the vessels; or an increasedsecretion of bile, particularly in sanguineous habits. In thesestates of the system it occasions heat, thirst, headach, laboriousrespiration, and many other unpleasant symptoms ; but whengiven in a proper state of the body few medicines are capableof producing more beneficial effects.

For the purposes of medicine soft malleable iron undergoesvarious preparations (see Preparations and Compositions) : butat present we have to notice it only as it is mentioned in thelists of materia medica of the British pharmacopoeias.

1. Metallic Iron.Officiiial. Ferri ramenta et fila, Lond. Fila et Ljmatura,

Edin. Ferri scobs, Dub. Iron filings and wire.

St/n. Limailles de Fer (F.), Gopulvertes Eissen (G.)i Lim atura di Ferro (/.),Limadura de hierro (S 1 . , Cerumboo podie (Tarn)

These filings are obtained from the workers in iron ; but asthey are often mixed with copper filings and other impurities,it is necessary, in order to purify them, to draw them upwardsthrough a sieve, or piece of coarse gauze, with a magnet.

Medical properties and uses. — Metallic iron exerts no actionon the living system, unless it meets with acid in the stomach,in which case it becomes tonic. Iron filings, therefore, are notadapted for all the cases in which chalybeate remedies proveuseful; and are chiefly suited to those cases of dyspepsia, hy-steria, chlorosis, and general debility, which are accompaniedwith acidity in the first passages. When iron is oxidized bythe assistance of watery fluids, hydrogen gas is evolved; hence,when the filings are rendered active in the stomach, foetid eruc-tations are produced, and the feces are coloured black; which,therefore are evident symptoms of the medicine having takeneffect. As an anthelmintic iron filings may operate mechani-cally, and dislodge worms; but even in worm cases the oxidize-ment of it in the stomach renders it more useful.

Iron wire is used for pharmaceutical preparations, on ac-count of the purity of the iron from which it is made; as thesoftest and purest iron only can be drawn.

The filings are given in the form of powder combined withsome aromatic, or made into an electuary with honey, or inpills in combination with myrrh, ammoniacum, or some bitterextract. The dose may be from grs. v. to ^ss.

Officinal preparations. Ferri Limatura Purificata, E. OxidumFerri Nigrum purificatum, E. D. Perri Acetas, D. SubcarbonasFerri praparatus, E. D. Carbonas Ferri prcecipitatus, E. D. FerriSulphas, L. E. D. Ferrum tartarizatum, L. E. Tinctura AcetatkFerri, D. Liquor Ferri alkalini, L. Vinum Ferri, L, D. Murias