The value of iodine as a remedy, however, does not depend on the testimony of any individual, however high his name. Its use is established by a long series of facts observed by physicians and surgeons of different countries. Wherever it has received a fair trial from unprejudiced persons, its effects have been so striking and undeniable as to force assent. It is not one of those remedies which is adopted by one man, and rejected by another, according to the accident or caprice of the moment; but one whose effects are written in such clear and intelligible characters, that he that runs can read. Its applications also are in cases of such common occurrence, that all practitioners have an opportunity of satisfying themselves of the real nature of the remedy, and the extent of its powers.
This medicine has also been called an empirical remedy. Of what importance is it that it should bear this or any other name, by which the enemies of every thing that is new endeavour to keep others in the same state of happy ignorance which satisfies their own indolence, and answers the demands of the common routine of their practice? But in what respect is it an empirical remedy? Do we know any thing more of the action of a purgative? It is said to stimulate the larger or the smaller intestines, and iodine may be said to stimulate the absorbent vessels; and after we have said this, are we at all wiser than we were before? The only questions now before us, those which alone appear worthy of discussion, are, Do we in iodine possess a remedy for the diseases in which I have said it is useful? and if we do, on which of the living textures does it seem most particularly to exert its action? These questions settled, all the rest is of comparatively trivial importance.
The medicines which exert their action on particular textures or systems are extremely few indeed, and the few we possess are so uncertain in their operations, they are liable to such frequent failures, that sceptical physicians doubt of their efficacy altogether, and even of the efficiency of medicine. There is something peculiarly gratifying to their vanity in supposing themselves freed from the common errors, and above the credulity of the vulgar. Iodine, however, is not liable to the sneers of such narrow minds. It is a real “heroic remedy”—a true present from the science of medicine to mankind.
APPENDIX.
I have here thrown into an Appendix a brief account of the different preparations of which I have had occasion to make mention. It is chiefly extracted from Magendie’s Formulary, which will be found to contain sufficient directions for the chemical and pharmaceutical operations undergone by iodine.
Tincture of Iodine.
Take of Alcohol, of sp. gr. of .842, 1 oz.
Iodine, 39 gr.
Dissolve.
This preparation should not be long kept, as it readily undergoes alteration and decomposition. Alcohol varies in its solvent power of iodine according to its degree of concentration. The frequent opening of the vessels, therefore, in which it is kept, must occasion a change in the quality of the tincture, by allowing the evaporation of the spirit, and thus occasioning a diffusion of undissolved iodine through this preparation. Mr. Magendie seems also to fear, that a decomposition of the alcohol may take place from the superior affinity of iodine for hydrogen. Altogether this is certainly the most objectionable form in which iodine is used.
Solution of Hydriodate of Potass.
Take of distilled Water, 1 oz.
Hydriodate of Potass, 30 gr.
Dissolve.