Prop., &c. This beautiful salt is of a rich ruby colour, and forms glistening transparent scales, very soluble in aqueous menstrua, and the resulting solution is less easily decomposed by reagents than the solutions of most of the other salts of iron. It is ‘compatible’ with the alkaline of carbonates and bicarbonates, and several other salts, and is nearly tasteless, advantages which have been perhaps overrated by both prescriber and patient. It is doubtful whether this article has not obtained a larger sale from its pleasing appearance than from its medicinal virtues. Several persons who have prepared it in lumps or powder, by the simple evaporation of the solution to dryness, have been unable to sell it under that form, even at a lower price.
Ammonio-citrate of iron is soluble in water; the solution neither changes the colour of litmus nor turmeric; nor is it turned blue by ferrocyanide of potassium; but either potassium hydrate or lime water being added, it throws down ferric hydrate, and ammonia is evolved. From 100 gr. dissolved in water, potassium hydrate precipitates about 34 gr. of ferric hydrate.—Dose, 3 to 10 gr., in water, wine, or bitter infusions.
Ferric and Strychnine Citrate. (U. S.) Syn. Ferri et strychniæ citras. Prep. Citrate of iron and ammonia, 500 gr.; strychnia, 5 gr.; citric acid, 5 gr.; distilled water, 9 fl. dr. Dissolve the citrate of iron and ammonia in 1 oz. of the water, and the strychnia and nitric acid in 1 dr. of distilled water. Mix the two solutions, evaporate the mixture over a water bath, at 140° Fahr., to the thickness of a syrup, and spread on glass plates, so that the salt, when dry, may be obtained in scales.
Ferric and Magnesium Citrate. Syn. Citric of iron and magnesia; Ferri magnesio citras; Ferri et magnesiæ citras, L. Prep. As the last, but using carbonate of magnesium instead of ammonia to neutralise the solution.—Dose, 2 to 10 gr. It has been recommended as a chalybeate in the dyspepsia of gouty and debilitated habits.
Ferric and Quinine Citrate. Syn. Citrate of quinine and iron; Ferri-quinio-citras, L. As the ammonio-citrate, but using quinine, recently precipitated, instead of ammonia, to neutralise the acid.
B. P. Pure ferric hydrate is prepared from liquor ferri persulphatis, 41⁄2 pints, and liquor ammoniæ, 8 pints, as in the ferric and ammonium citrate. Sulphate of quinine 1 is mixed with water 8, and sulphuric acid 11⁄2, and when dissolved, ammonia added until the quinine is precipitated. The precipitate is collected and washed with 30 of water. Citric acid 3 is dissolved in 8 of water by the aid of a water bath, and the ferric hydrate, well drained, added; stir together until dissolved, and add the quinine, stirring well until all is
dissolved, and allow to cool; add 11⁄2 of solution of ammonia diluted with 2 of water, stirring the solution briskly until the quinine at first thrown down by the ammonia is redissolved; filter and evaporate to a syrup, drying in thin layers on flat porcelain or glass plates at a temperature of 100°.
Ferric citrate, 4 parts; citrate of quinine, 1 part; distilled water, q. s.; dissolve, gently evaporate, and proceed as directed for ammonio-citrate of iron. Greenish golden-yellow scales when prepared by the B. P. process, soluble in 2 parts of water, and somewhat deliquescent; entirely soluble in ether; taste bitter as well as chalybeate.—Dose, 2 to 6 dr.; in cases where the use of both iron and quinine is indicated.
Ferric and Sodium Citrate. Syn. Ferri sodio-citras, Ferri et sodæ citras, L. Prep. From citric acid, carbonate of sodium, and iron or the hydrate, as the ammonio-citrate or potassio-citrate.
Ferric Chlo′ride. Fe2Cl6. Syn. Sesquichloride of iron, Perchloride of iron, PERMURIATE OF I.; Ferri sesquichloridum, L. Prep. 1. (Anhydrous.) By passing dry chlorine over heated iron filings. Brown scales.