Generation of Oxalic Acid in Syrup of Sesqui-Nitrate of Iron.—Mr.
J. Laidley, of Richmond, Va., has shown, in an interesting paper in
the last number of the American Journal of Pharmacy, that the syrup
of ses^wi-nitrate of iron is an unscientific and ineligible preparation ; for,
without an excess of acid, it is a mixture of proto and per-nitrate, and
with that excess the acid generates oxalic acid. When a syrup of nitrate
of iron is wanted, the yu-oto-nitrate should be employed; in it there is no
excess of acid to act on the sugar, which is employed to prevent peroxida-
tion of the iron, and it is not only permanent but pleasant to the palate.