Ferrum Ammoniacale, P.L. 1787. Flores Martiales.
P.L. 1745. Ens Veneris. P.L. 1720.
Qualities. Form, crystalline grains, which deliquesce; Colour, orange yellow; Odour, resembling that of saffron; Taste, styptic. Chemical Composition. This is very variable; depending upon the degree of heat and length of time employed for its preparation. It seems to be a mixed mass, consisting of sub-muriate of ammonia and sub-muriate of iron, the metal being in the state of red oxide; and, Mr. Phillips states that in the London preparation a portion of sub-carbonate of ammonia is necessarily present. The same chemist has also shewn that the proportion of Peroxide of iron in 200 grains is not more than three grains. Its equivalents will be seen in the Medicinal Dynameter. Solubility, f℥j of water dissolves ʒiv of it; it is also very soluble in alcohol. Incompatible Substances. The Alkalies, and their Carbonates; Lime water, and Astringent vegetables. Medicinal Uses. It is tonic, emmenagogue, and aperient, but it is so uncertain in its composition and effects that it is rarely used. Officinal Prep: Tinct: Ferri Ammon: L. Form: 36, 43, 95. Impurities. These are indicated by the dull and pale yellow colour of the salt; it may be purified by resubliming it.
FERRUM TARTARIZATUM. L.
Tartras Potassæ et Ferri. E.
Tartarum Ferri. D.
Qualities. Form, a powder of a brownish green colour; Odour, none; Taste, slightly styptic; it attracts humidity from the atmosphere, but does not deliquesce. Chemical Composition. Mr. Phillips has devoted much attention to this subject, and he states that as it is frequently prepared, it is a mere mixture of metallic iron with super-tartrate of potass, coloured by oxide of iron; when however it is made with more care, it appears to be a double salt, consisting of tartrate of potass and tartrate of iron; or may it not be one of those combinations which cream of tartar forms with metals, and of which I have spoken under the article Antimonium Tartarizatum? The quantity of peroxide of iron contained in any weight of this preparation may be seen by referring to the Medicinal Dynameter; five grains, for instance, will be found to contain gr. j of peroxide, which, it will be observed, are equivalent to ♏︎xiv of the Tinctura Ferri Muriatis, and to ♏︎xxv of the Liquor Ferri Alkalini, or to f℥j of the Vinum Ferri. Solubility. It is very soluble in water, and the solution remains for a great length of time without undergoing any change, except that of depositing tartrate of lime, which is an incidental impurity in the super-tartrate of potass. Incompatible Substances. All strong acids; lime water; hydro-sulphuret of potass; astringent vegetables? The fixed alkalies and their carbonates decompose the solution very slowly, unless heated; but ammonia and its sub-carbonate produce upon it no effect, whether it be hot or cold; this fact, observes Mr. Phillips, will enable us to exhibit iron in solution with an alkali, without the occurrence of an precipitate. Forms of Exhibition. The perfect preparation, from its tendency to deliquesce, cannot be well ordered in the form of powder; that of solution is probably the most judicious. Med. Uses. It is supposed to add to its chalybeate virtues those of a diuretic nature. Dose, grs. x to ʒss. See Form: 34, 53, 92. Dr. Bateman has recommended a watery solution of it, as a chalybeate peculiarly suited to children, from its tasteless quality.[[510]]
FILICIS RADIX. L.E.D.
(Aspidium Filix, Mas.)
Root of the Male Fern.