Note 510 — PHARMACOLOGIA. (continued 4)

Besides the preparations of Iron mentioned by our author, there is another which has recently been introduced into practice, by Dr. Zollickhoffer of Maryland, and this is the Prussiate of Iron, or Prussian Blue. Like the other forms of iron it acts as a powerful tonic, and as a remedy in intermitting and remitting fevers, Dr. Z. conceives it to possess many advantages over Cinchona. These he states to be the following: “1. It is void of taste, and may therefore be much more readily exhibited than the Cinchona Officinalis, which to some is extremely unpleasant. 2. It may be given in every stage of the disease, while the administration of bark is confined to the apyrexiæ. 4. The dose is much smaller, being from four to six grains twice or thrice in twenty-four hours; or at morning, noon and night; while bark, to be effectual, must be given in much larger doses. 4. It never disagrees with the stomach, or creates nausea, even in the most irritable state of this viscus; while bark is not unfrequently rejected. 5. In its effects as a remedy calculated to prevent the recurrence of future paroxysms, it is more certain, prompt, and effectual, than the justly celebrated Cort. Peruvian. 6 and lastly, A patient treated with this article will recover from the influence of intermitting and remitting fevers, in the generality of cases, in much less time than is usual in those cases in which bark is employed.” In using the Prussiate of Iron, Dr. Zollickhoffer directs that care should be taken to select that which is of a very dark blue colour, approaching to a black, having a shining coppery fracture, and adhering firmly to the tongue.

Ed.