Oxydum Ferri Rubrum. Edin. Red Oxide of Iron

"Let dried sulphate of iron be exposed to a violent heat, until it is converted into a red-coloured substance."

Ferri Oxydum rubrum, Dub. Red Oxide of Iron.

"Let dried sulphate of iron be exposed to heat until the water of crystallisation be expelled; then let it be roasted in a strong fire as long as any acid vapour is produced. Let the red oxide be washed till the water poured from it does not indicate, by the test of litmus, the presence of any acid; and, lastly, dry it upon bibulous paper."

Syn. Oxyde de Fer rouge(F.), Eissenoxyd ( G. ),Perossido rosso di Ferro, (I.).

By the degree of heat employed, the sulphuric acid of the sulphate is partly driven off in a highly concentrated state, and partly decomposed; sulphurous acid being disengaged, and the oxide more highly oxidized. The residue is the red peroxide of iron, combined with a portion of the red sulphate, which renders it deliquescent; and which should therefore be separated by washing, as directed by the Dublin College. According to Proust, the red oxide at the highest degree of oxidizement consists of 48 parts of oxygen, and 52 of iron. In equivalents its composition is 1 proportional of iron = 28 + 1 1/2 of oxygenic 12, making the equivalent=40.

Medical properties and uses. - This preparation is possessed of fewer medicinal properties than the other oxides of iron.

Officinal Preparation. - Murias Ammoniae et Ferri, E. D.

Table Shotting How Much Of Each Preparation Of Iron Of The London Pharmacopoeia Contains One Grain Of Oxide