Aids to practical dispensing / by C.J.S. Thompson.

  • Thompson, C. J. S. (Charles John Samuel), 1862-1943.
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Aids to practical dispensing / by C.J.S. Thompson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Iron Mixtures.—The preparations of iron are a fruitful source of trouble when ordered in combination with other drugs. It is well to remember they are incompatible with alkalies and their carbonates, also magnesia, and lime and their carbonates. They also turn black or darken all vegetable astringents containing tannic acid, and are decomposed by mucilage. The tincture of perchloride of iron is frequently pre- scribed in combination with quinine, for which it forms an admirable solvent. When ordered in a mixture with solution of acetate of ammonia, care should be taken to test the latter before mixing, in order to make sure it is perfectly neutral, otherwise the result will be thick and turbid in appearance instead of forming a clear dark-red mixture. The incompatibility of tincture of iron and mucilage of acacia is well known, yet the two are not infrequently prescribed together. If the tincture and mucilage are directly mixed together an unmanageable jelly is produced, which it is impossible to form into a presentable mixture ; but this result is obviated if the tincture be well diluted with water before adding the mucilage. By this means the difficulty is overcome. A favourite combination with some prescribers is that of solution of dialysed iron with Fowler’s solution, made up with glycerin and water. In preparing this mixture, care must be taken not to add the solution of arsenic until the iron has been well diluted, otherwise a precipitate will be thrown down. The scale preparations of iron are easily soluble in wate r on agitation, with the exceptions of the potassio-tartrate and pyro-phosphate, both of which it is necessary to rub down in a mortar with warm water. The inconvenient froth caused in shaking up citrate of iron and quinine with water will rapidly subside on the addition of a few drops of alcohol. A mixture sometimes met with which may give an unsatisfactory result is the following : ^ Ferri. et quiniae cit 3ii. Spt. chlorof. 3i. Spt. ammon. co. .. .. .. 3iii. Infus. quassae .. .. ad Sviii.