Dose. - 1-3 grains (0.06-0.18 Gm.). Used externally as a hemostatic.

Other newer preparations of iron are Feralboid, a peptonized albuminate of iron; Fercremol, a compound of hemoglobin and iron, containing 3 per cent. of iron. Dose, 3-8 grains (0.2-0.5 Gm.); Ferralbumose, prepared from fat-free meat and treated with artificial gastric juice; the filtered solution is freed from albumin, filtered, neutralized, and dried in vacuo. A 10 per cent. solution of this albumose is precipitated by 10 per cent. ferric chloride, and the precipitate is then dried and powdered. Ferri-pyrine, a combination with three molecules of antipyrine and one of ferric chloride, and said to possess the properties of both constituents. Dose, 8 grains (0. 5 Gm.) in anemic conditions associated with headaches and neuralgia.

Ferrosol is a double saccharate of ferrous oxide and sodium chloride. It is not precipitated by the addition of acids, alkalies, or by changes in temperature. It contains 0.77 per cent. of iron. Ferrostyptin, an iron preparation containing formaldehyd and readily soluble in water, is used as a hemostyptic antiseptic. It is not caustic and is useful in the mouth and nose. Dose, 5-8 grains (0.3-0.5 Gm.). Ferrum caseina-tum, a preparation containing 5.2 per cent. ferric oxide, and prepared by precipitating a solution of lactate of iron with a solution of calcium caseinate. It is tasteless and odorless, and soluble in water made alkaline by sodium carbonate. Dose, 5 - 15 grains (0.3-1.0 Gm.). Fersan is one of the many new preparations of blood. It is held to be the phosphoric acid containing albuminoids of the blood. Sanguinal, Sanguini-form, and Carniferrin are other blood-preparations. Many other preparations of iron are daily being added to the already abundant list.

Antagonists and Incompatibles. - The ferric salts are incompatible with tannic and gallic acids and vegetable astringents, and gelatinize mucilage of acacia. The carbonates are also incompatible with tannic and mineral acids and acidulous salts.

The salts of the vegetable acids and the iodides are incompatible with mineral acids, tannic acid, and with alkalies and their carbonates.

Synergists. - All the restorative medicines are synergistic.

Physiological Action. - Iron is an essential element of the body, there being 1 part of iron to 230 of red globules. In many lower animals iron is diffused throughout the bodily protoplasm; in man it is mostly confined to one tissue, the blood. Through the iron compounds of the body much of the oxidizing functions of the various cells are carried on.

When the body is in a normal, healthy condition, sufficient iron is furnished by the mixed diet to answer all physiological requirements. In many diseased conditions, however, there is a deficiency of iron, and it is necessary to restore this element in one way or another.

Externally and Locally. - Neither the soluble ferric nor ferrous salts exert any action upon the unbroken skin. When applied, however, to mucous membranes or denuded surfaces, they are astringent and hemostatic, the ferric salts being the more powerful, coagulating albuminous fluids. The coagulum of albuminate of iron is usually insoluble, hence acts as a protectant and limits penetration or corrosion. The organic salts possess feeble astringent properties. In the iron salts the acid ion plays the more important role in its action on protoplasm.

The acid and astringent preparations of iron act upon the teeth.

The ferric oxides are disinfectant, owing to their property of converting oxygen into ozone.

Internally. - Digestive System. - The teeth and tongue are blackened by the preparations of iron. In the stomach, when not con-traindicated and in small doses, its slightly irritant and astringent properties render iron quite a valuble stomachic tonic. Under excessive doses or prolonged administration the acid preparations especially are apt to cause gastric derangement - anorexia, nausea, and serious indigestion. The ferric chloride is particularly valuable in that its ingestion does not, like that of other preparations of iron, diminish the supply of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice.

All the preparations of iron are probably converted into the chloride in the stomach. When entering the intestines they are converted into the ferric oxide, ferrous chloride, the alkaline albuminate, and the insoluble sulphide and tannate. Most of the iron preparations are constipating, the phosphate and pyrophosphate being exceptions. They tend to diminish the bile and the secretions from the gastro-intestinal tract. Constipation with dark stools is a frequent result of iron medication.

Circulatory System. - The action of iron upon the blood is of great importance, since, the metal being a normal constituent of that fluid, its administration has a nutrient as well as a medicinal influence. A primary effect is to supply a deficiency of red corpuscles and bring the hemoglobin up to the normal standard. It also increases the number of leucocytes. Iron enables the red corpuscles to convey more oxygen to the tissues, thus increasing metabolic activity in general. Long-continued dosage has been thought to develop a sense of fulness in the blood-vessels, dryness of, and a tendency to hemorrhage from, mucous membranes.

Nervous System. - The general effect is tonic. In patients inclined to plethora, however, certain untoward symptoms may result from prolonged administration, including a feeling of congestion in the cerebrum.

Respiratory System. - No immediate action is perceptible under normal conditions, but in anemic states, by supplying the nerve-centers, muscles, and lungs with better blood, the respiratory power is increased.

Absorption and Elimination. - Opinions differ regarding the form in which iron is absorbed. Probably much of it is converted into the soluble chloride and absorbed as such in the stomach - while a portion, passing into the intestines, may there be converted into the soluble alkaline albuminate capable of absorption. The larger portion of iron taken into the system, however, is changed into the insoluble sulphide and tannate, and excreted as such, giving to the feces a black color. Such part of the iron as enters the circulation combines with the red corpuscles. The salts of the organic acids are absorbed directly into the blood.