Ether Hydriodicus

Ethyl Iodide

Iodide of Ethyl

This is a colorless, non-inflammable liquid. The odor is peculiar, very powerful and diffusible, and the taste pungent. It is not soluble in water, but dissolves to some extent in alcohol. Its specific gravity is 1·92, and its boiling-point 160° Fahr. Exposed to light and air it assumes a dirty, brownish-yellow color, from the setting free of iodine; hence it should be kept in closely-stoppered bottles in the dark. The dose is five to twenty drops inhaled from a handkerchief, or from the vial containing it, three or more times a day.

Physiological Actions

Although ethyl-iodide might be classified with the other anaesthetic agents, its physiological and therapeutical effects ally it more nearly to the iodides. As an anaesthetic, the action is slow and imperfect. Dr. Lawrence, of Boston, testing the action in his own person, found that a half-hour of inhalation failed to produce even drowsiness. It is said, however, that it induces the anaesthetic state in animals, but further information is needed on this point.

Therapy

Ethyl iodide is administered by the broncho-pulmonary mucous membrane. Five to twenty drops are put on a handkerchief and inhaled as may be necessary—every two, three, or four hours, or more or less frequently; or, contained in a small vial, the heat of the hand suffices to disengage the vapor, which can then be inhaled directly. As a means of introducing iodine into the blood, it offers many advantages. When, therefore, it is necessary to induce iodism speedily, as in syphiloma of the brain or spinal cord, it is an appropriate remedy. In the spasmodic affections—the neuroses of the respiratory organs—as asthma, emphysema, whooping-cough, etc., when accompanied by catarrh of the mucous membrane especially, excellent results are obtained from the inhalations. Dr. Lawrence has found it of exceptional utility in asthma. Good effects may be had from it in capillary bronchitis, in chronic bronchitis, in fibroid phthisis, in caseous phthisis, and in local catarrhs of the air-passages.