IRON
The preparations of iron which are of importance are the sulphate and the muriate.
Sulphate of Iron
Copperas or Green Vitriol—has been administered as a poison, but more frequently to procure abortion. An ounce has been taken with no other serious effect than the production of violent pain, purging, and vomiting. Constant application of this substance to the body has produced vomiting, pains in the belly and limbs. These symptoms disappear on treatment.
Chemical Analysis.—(1) Hydrosulphuret of ammonia gives a black precipitate. (2) Ferrocyanide of potassium added to it, in solution, gives rise to a greenish-blue precipitate, becoming dark blue on exposure. (3) Chloride of barium will point to the nature of the acid present.
Muriate of Iron
Better known as the Tincture of Sesquichloride of Iron, or the Tinctura Ferri Perchloridi.—The tincture acts as a corrosive and irritant poison, death having followed in five weeks after an ounce and a half had been swallowed. It is sometimes used as an abortifacient. Recovery has, however, taken place after three ounces had been swallowed. The symptoms present in most cases observed were those of a corrosive and irritant.
Chemical Analysis.—(1) The addition of nitrate of silver, causing a white precipitate insoluble in nitric acid, points to the presence of chlorine. (2) The peroxide of iron, indicated by the formation of Prussian blue on adding a solution of the ferrocyanide of potassium.