In various forms of haemoptysis, phthisical and otherwise, preparations of iron are useful if active febrile reaction is not present. For internal use I prefer the acetate, or sometimes the sulphate, to other preparations, and they are especially indicated in the passive hemorrhage of anaemic weakly subjects (of the acetate, I give the tincture in 5 to 20-min. doses every half-hour to two hours). Caution is needed as to their internal use in phthisis (v. p. 173), but their local use in spray or powder is advisable whenever the loss is severe or alarming. A striking case, in which death seemed imminent, and in which the insufflation of powdered sulphate at once and permanently controlled the bleeding, is given by Wetherby (Ranking, ii., 1866). Brondgeest (Brussels) treated successfully three phthisical cases by an atomized spray containing the chloride (Bulletin de Therapeutique, 1866, t. lxxii.), and Cornil has related similar results.

I have treated several severe cases with satisfactory results by an "iron spray" containing either 1/4 part of liquor ferri perchloridi, or 1 to 2 gr. of sulphate in the ounce of glycerin and water. It might be thought that blood thus coagulated in situ would increase a tendency to lung-congestion or chronic pneumonic phthisis, but practically I have not found it do so.