Observations on the remarkable effects of iodine in bronchocele and schrophula : being a translation of three memoirs published by I.R. Coindet, M.D. of Geneva.

  • Jean-Francois Coindet
Date:
1821
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the remarkable effects of iodine in bronchocele and schrophula : being a translation of three memoirs published by I.R. Coindet, M.D. of Geneva. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    the goitre, but they probably depend on some pecu- liar unknown combination in calcined sponge, since iodine produces nothing like it, whilst it removes goitres of a larger size, and much more rapidly than sponge, or any of its preparations. What is that peculiar substance in sponge which acts in so specific a manner in goitre ? It appeared to me probable that it was iodine, and this opinion was confirmed, on my learning that Mr. Fyfe, of Edinburgh, had discovered iodine in sponge towards the close of 1819, when I had already witnessed for six months its surprising effects in this malady. Iodine exists in so small a quantity in sponge that it is impossible to determine the relative proportion in any given quantity; what I employed was obtained from the mother-liquor of the several Fuci. Iodine, thus called from the fine violet colour it assumes in the state of gas, does not appear to form one of the constituent parts of marine productions; it would seem to be only of accidental occurrence, since it does not exist in those alkalies that are pre- pared in Sicily, Spain, and the Roman states. Sponge washed and macerated previous to its analysis, yields a much less quantity. A peculiarity of this substance but little known, is, that of its forming an acid when combined with either oxygen or hydrogen. The salts produced by its combination with oxygen being little soluble in water, I have not employed them. I prefer those obtained from hydrogen, for which iodine has so great an affinity, that it seizes upon it, wherever found, forming an acid known under the name of hydriodic acid. It saturates the several bases, and forms neutral salts. From these I have selected for medical use, the hydriodate of potass. I have also employed with equal success the hydriodate of soda. The hydriodate of potass is a deliquescent salt, forty- eight grains of which represent very nearly thirty- six grains of iodine^. This quantity, dissolved in an ounce of water, is what I most frequently employ.
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