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404 DENTAL MEDICINE.
FERRUM—IRON.
Chemical analysis demonstrates the presence of iron in the
blood, the gastric juice, chyle, lymph, bile, milk, urine and the
pigment of the eye ; and, although metallic iron is inert, yet,
when it reaches the stomach, it is dissolved by the acids, and
thus acquires molecular activity. By its oxidation in the stomach
hydrogen is set free, which in its nascent state unites with sul-
phur, forming sulphuretted hydrogen.
Medical Properties and Jction.—The salts of iron act through
and upon the blood, improving its quality and increasing its
quantity, and hence they are termed " hematinic." These salts
of iron are absorbed into the system, and are detected in the
blood, urine, etc., and under their use the appetite increases, the
digestion is improved, the pulse increases in frequency and ful-
ness, the health becomes better, and there is an increase in flesh
and an improvement in color; hence they are "restoratives."
As these salts of iron in large doses cause nausea and vomiting,
being irritant poisons, and even small doses, when administered
for a long period, exhaust the gastric glands by over-stimulation,
their use is contra-indicated in a plethoric condition, especially
when accompanied with a hemorrhagic tendency, or when there
is an atheromatous state of the cerebral vessels. Certain of these
salts, such as the sulphates, the chlorides, and the nitrates, pos-
sess a high degree of astringency, and when taken internally pro-
duce constipation. Brought in contact with the blood, they coag-
ulate it, and solidify the albuminous elements of the tissues, being
powerful " hemostatics."
Without great care is exercised in the internal administration
of iron, owing to the acidity and astringent property of many of
these preparations, injury results to the teeth, upon which they
act with great energy. The tincture of the chloride and the
sulphate, as shown by the experiments of Dr. Smith, of Edin-
burgh, Scotland, are more corrosive than the wine of iron, and
even more injurious than the compounds of iron with the vege-
table acids. The use of an alkaline gargle of carbonate of soda,
or prepared chalk, or solution of ammonia, before and after the
taking of the iron preparation into the mouth, and the subse-