CHARACTERS.—Thin, transparent, garnet-red scales, odorless, and having a saline, mildly ferruginous taste; deliquescent in moist air. Solubility.-Readily and completely in water; insoluble in Alcohol.

IMPURITIES.-Tartrates or citrates of the alkali metals, iron tartrate, ferrous

citrate.

Dose, 0.250 gm. = 250 milligm. (4 gr.).

15. FERRI ET QUININÆ CITRAS.-Iron and Quinine Citrate. Abv.Ferr. et Amm. Cit. Synonym.—Soluble Iron and Quinine Citrate. Iron Citrate and Quinine Citrate, rendered more soluble by the presence the Ammonium Citrate and containing not less than 11.5 per cent. of anhydrous Quinine (C20H24O2N2=324.21) and not less than 13 per cent. of Metallic Iron.

SOURCE. Dissolve Ferric Citrate, 85, in distilled water, 160 by heating; add Quinine, 12, Citric Acid, 3, previously triturated in distilled water, 20; mix these solutions and stir with Ammonia Water, 50; evaporate to a syrupy consistency and dry on glass.

CHARACTERS.-Thin, transparent scales, of a greenish, golden-yellow color, odorless, and having a bitter, mildly ferruginous taste. It is deliquescent. Dose, 0.250 gm. = 250 milligm. (4 gr.).

INCOMPATIBLES OF IRON SALTS IN GENERAL.-All substances containing tannic or gallic acid form an intense black with ferric salts. Preparations of iron are therefore incompatible with all vegetable astringent solutions, and the only infusions with which they can be prescribed are infusions of quassia and of calumba. It is frequently forgotten that on account of the presence of tannic acid, both the tincture and infusion of digitalis form an inky mixture with iron preparations. A small quantity of diluted phosphoric acid will serve to clarify such a mixture, though after a few days a slight precipitate of ferric phosphate will be observed. Mucilage of acacia becomes gelatinous from the addition of ferric salts. With ferrous salts, alkalies and their carbonates, lime water, calcium carbonate, and magnesia and magnesium carbonate form green precipitates, and with ferric salts, brown precipitates.

For the Therapeutics of Iron and its Salts see p. 407.

SECTION II. ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA

DIVISION I: THE SYNTHETICS AND ALLIED DRUGS

GROUP I

The Hydrocarbons

Petrolatum, Purified Petroleum Benzin, Paraffin

These have already been considered with Carbon on pp. 48 and 49.

GROUP II

The Alcohols

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is official in the three following forms:

1. ALCOHOL. Synonym.-Spirit of Wine. A liquid composed of not less than 92.3 per cent., by weight, or 94.9 per cent., by volume, of Ethyl Alcohol (C2H, OH=46.05).

SOURCE.-Macerate rectified spirit with Anhydrous Potassium Carbonate to remove the water, then again with freshly fused Calcium Chloride, and distil. CHARACTERS.-—A transparent, colorless, mobile and volatile liquid, of a slight, characteristic odor, and a burning taste. It is miscible with water in all proportions, and without any trace of cloudiness; also miscible with Ether and Chloroform. Sp. gr., not above 0.816 at 15.56°C. (60°F.), the standard temperature for Alcohol, or 0.810 at 25°C. (77°F.). Readily volatilized; boils at about 78°C. (172.4°F.).

IMPURITIES.-Organic impurities, amyl alcohol, aldehyde, etc., fusel oil con

stituents.

Alcohol is used to make Chloroform. All spirits are made with Alcohol and all tinctures with Alcohol or Diluted Alcohol. Alcohol is largely employed in making extracts, fluidextracts and various other preparations.

2. ALCOHOL DILUTUM.-Diluted Alcohol. Abv.-Alcohol Dil. Synonyms.-Proof Spirit. Spiritus Tenuior. A liquid composed of from 41 to 42 per cent., by weight, or from 48.4 to 49.5 per cent., by volume, of Ethyl Alcohol (C2H, OH=46.05). Alcohol, 500 mils; distilled water, 500 mils. If the two liquids are measured at 25°C. (77°F.) the mixture, when cooled to this same temperature, will measure about 970 mils. It can also be prepared by mixing Alcohol 408 gm.; with distilled water, 500 gm.

CHARACTERS.-The same as those of Alcohol. Sp. gr., from 0.935 to 0.937 at the standard temperature for Alcohol and from 0.930 to 0.932 at 25°C. (77F.).

DEHYDRATUM.-Dehydrated

3. ALCOHOL Alcohol. Abv.-Alcohol Dehyd. Synonym.-Absolute Alcohol. A liquid containing not less than 99 per cent. by weight of Ethyl Alcohol.

SOURCE. By percolation of the strongest and purest Alcohol through recently burned lime, out of contact with the air; then re-distil the percolate in vacuo. CHARACTERS.-A transparent, colorless, mobile and volatile liquid, of a characteristic, rather agreeable odor, and a burning taste. It is very hygroscopic. Sp. gr., not higher than 0.798 at 15.6°C. (60°F.) nor above 0.790 at 25°C. (77°F.).

Amount of Ethyl Alcohol by volume in various important other substances

Formaldehyde, Paraformaldehyde, Hexamethylenamine, Paraldehyde, Hydrated Chloral, Chloroform, Trichloracetic Acid, Bromoform, Iodoform, Ethyl Chloride, Acetone, Methylthionine Chloride

1. LIQUOR FORMALDEHYDI

SOLUTION OF FORMALDEHYDE. Abv.-Liq. Formaldehyd. Synonyms. -Formalin. Formol. An aqueous solution, containing not less than 37 per cent., by weight, of absolute Formaldehyde (CH2O or H·CHO=30.02), an oxidation product of Methyl Alcohol, with varying amounts of the latter to prevent polymerization.

SOURCE.-Formaldehyde, which is a gas soluble in water, is obtained by the oxidation of Methyl Alcohol at a moderately high temperature, or by passing the vapor over red-hot metal.

CHARACTERS.-A clear, colorless, or nearly colorless liquid, having a pungent odor and caustic taste; its vapor acts as an irritant upon the mucous membranes.

the

On long standing, especially in the cold, it sometimes loses its transparency,
cloudiness being due to the separation of paraformaldehyde. Solubility.—
Miscible in all proportions with water and Alcohol.
IMPURITIES.-Sulphate, chloride, iron, lead, copper, calcium, formic and other

acids.

II. PARAFORMALDEHYDUM

PARAFORMALDEHYDE. Abv.-Paraform. Synonyms.-Trioxymethelene Paraform. It contains not less than 95 per cent. of (HCHO)=90.05, a polymeric form of Formaldehyde.

SOURCE.-By polymerization of strong solutions of Formaldehyde by cold. CHARACTERS.-White friable masses, or as a powder, having a slight odor of Formaldehyde. On heating it is partly converted into Formaldehyde and partly sublimes unchanged. Solubility.-It is slowly soluble in cold water, more readily in hot water with the formation of Formaldehyde; insoluble in Alcohol or Ether; soluble in fixed alkali solutions.

IMPURITIES.-The same as for Formaldehyde.

For the Therapeutics of Formaldehyde and Paraformaldehyde see p. 299.

III. HEXAMETHYLENAMINA

(CH2) 6N4=140.14.
Formin. Aminoform. A

Syno

HEXAMETHYLENAMINE. Abv.-Hexam. nyms.-Hexamethylene-tetramine. Urotropin. condensation product [Hexamethylene-tetramine (CH2) 6N4] from the action of Ammonia upon Formaldehyde.

SOURCE. It is obtained by the action of 4 molecules of Ammonia on 6 molecules of Formaldehyde: 4H,N+6CH2O=(CH2) 6N4+6H2O.

CHARACTERS.-Colorless, lustrous, odorless, crystals, or as a white, crystalline powder having, when in aqueous solution, an alkaline reaction. While this substance is odorless at ordinary temperatures, heating evolves a peculiar fishy odor. Solubility. In about 1.5 parts of either cold or boiling water; in 12.5 parts of Alcohol; in 320 parts of Ether.

INCOMPATIBLES.-All acids decompose it in the presence of warmth.
Dose, 0.250 gm. = 250 milligm. (4 gr.).

For the Therapeutics of Hexamethylenamine see p. 374.

IV. PARALDEHYDUM

PARALDEHYDE. Abv.-Paraldehyd. (CH,CHO) 3.-A polymer of Acetaldehyde (CH. CHO)3=132.10.

SOURCE.-Formed by adding a few drops of concentrated Sulphuric Acid to Aldehyde, which causes the liquid to become hot. On cooling to o°C. (32°F.), the Paraldehyde solidifies in crystals. When distilled with dilute Sulphuric Acid,

Hydrochloric Acid, etc., it is converted into Aldehyde.

CHARACTERS.-A colorless, transparent liquid, having a strong, characteristic, but not unpleasant or pungent odor, and a burning and then a cooling taste. Sp. gr., about 0.990. Solubility.—In 8 parts of water and in 17 of boiling water;

freely miscible with Alcohol, Chloroform, Ether, and fixed or volatile oils.

IMPURITIES. Sulphuric and hydrochloric acids, free acid, amyl alcohol, impurities derived from fusel oil.

INCOMPATIBLES.-Alkalies, hydrocyanic acid, iodides, oxidizers.

Dose, 2 mils (30 m).

For the Therapeutics of Paraldehyde see p. 769.

V. CHLORALUM HYDRATUM

HYDRATED CHLORAL. Abv.-Chloral. Hydrat. C2HCl,O+H2O or CC13-COH+H2O=165.4 Synonym.—Chloral Hydrate. A compound of Trichloraldehyde or Chloral (CC13 COH+H2O) with the elements of one molecule of water. It should contain not less than 99.5 per cent. of Hydrated Chloral.

SOURCE.-Absolute Alcohol is saturated with dry Chlorine; Aldehyde and Hydrochloric Acid are first formed. C2HOH+Cl2=C2H4O+2HCl. By the continued action of the Chlorine Gas 3 atoms of Hydrogen are abstracted from the Aldehyde and replaced by 3 atoms of Chlorine, producing Chloral Hydrate. C2H40+3Cl2 = C2HCl3O+3HCl. It is purified by Sulphuric Acid and afterwards by Lime.

CHARACTERS. In rhomboidal, colorless and transparent crystals, which do not readily attract moisture, having an aromatic, penetrating and slightly acrid odor, and a bitterish, caustic taste. It is slowly volatilized when exposed to the air; easily melted by gentle heat. Solubility.—In 0.25 part of water; in 1.3 parts of Alcohol; in 1.5 parts of Ether; in 2 parts of Chloroform; very soluble in Olive Oil; freely soluble in Oil of Turpentine. It liquefies when triturated with about an equal quantity of Camphor, Menthol, Phenol or Thymol.

IMPURITIES.-Chloral alcoholate, ethyl carbamate, hydrochloric acid and

chlorides.

INCOMPATIBLES.-Acetphene tidin, alcohol, borax, lead acetate, monobromated camphor, phenyl salicylate, potassium iodide and permanganate, quinine, sodium phosphate; all alkalies decompose it.

For the Therapeutics of Hydrated Chloral see p. 762.

VI. CHLOROFORMUM

CHLOROFORM. Abv.-Chlorof. Synonym.-Trichloromethane. A liquid consisting of not less than 99 nor more than 99.4 per cent., by weight, of absolute Chloroform [CHCl3=119.39] and not less than 0.6 per cent. nor more than 1 per cent. of Alcohol. Care should be taken in vaporizing Chloroform in the presence of a naked flame, as noxious gases are produced.

SOURCE. From the distillation of Acetone and Chlorinated Lime, from which Chloroform is produced, together with Calcium Acetate, Hydroxide and Chloride. 2C3H6O+6Ca(OCl)2=2CHCl3+Ca(C2H3O2)2+2Ca(OH)2+3CaCl2. CHARACTERS.-A clear, colorless, mobile liquid, of a characteristic, ethereal odor, and a burning, sweet taste. Sp. gr., 1.474 to 1.478. It is not inflammable, but its heated vapor burns with a green flame. Solubility.—In 200 times its volume of water, in which it sinks in heavy drops; miscible with Alcohol, Ether, Benzene, Petroleum Benzin, or with fixed or volatile oils.