Prep. Made by dissolving iron wire in hydrochloric acid, and subsequently peroxidising the iron by evaporating the solution with nitric acid, and afterwards diluting with water to the proper strength.

Prop. & Comp. Perchloride of iron in solution in water (Fe2 Cl3). It forms an orange-brown solution, with a strong styptic taste; miseible with water and alcohol in all proportions. Diluted with water, it is precipitated white by chloride of barium, and blue by the ferrocyanide of potassium. Sp. gr. 1.338. A fluid drachm diluted with water, and precipitated with ammonia, yields a precipitate (peroxide of iron), which when washed and incinerated weighs 15.62 grs., indicating the presence of 31.728 grains of perchloride of iron in the fluid drachm.

Off. Prep. Tinctura Ferri Perchloridi. Tincture of Perchloride of Iron. (Solution of perchloride of Iron, five fluid ounces; rectified spirit, fifteen fluid ounces.) Sp. gr. 0.992. The tincture has one-fourth the strength of Tinctura Ferri Sesquichlo-ridi. Dub. [Tinct. Ferri Chloridi. Tincture of the Chloride of Iron. U. S. Sp. gr. 0.990.]

Therapeutics. A most powerful astringent ferruginous preparation useful in passive haemorrhages and other discharges. Seldom given simply as a blood-restorer.

Dose. Of the solution, 3 min. to 16 min.; of the tincture, 10 min. to 40 min. or more.