Characters.- Pale greenish-white, crystalline crusts or grains, permanent in the air; odourless, having a mild sweetish ferruginous taste and a slightly acid reaction.

Solubility. - Soluble in water.

Reactions. - When heated on platinum foil the salt froths up, gives out thick white acrid fumes, and chars, a brown-red residue being finally left. If the salt be boiled for fifteen minutes with nitric acid of the sp. gr. 1.200, white granular mucic acid will be deposited on cooling the liquid.

Preparation.

U.S.P. Syrupus Hypophosphitum cum Ferro. (Lactate of iron, 1; syrup of hypophosphites, 99.)

Dose. - 12-20 grains per diem; of syrup, 1/2 to 1 fl. dr. Use. - In chlorosis and anaemia.