Chemical Properties. — Formula, Fe3 (P04)2. It is prepared by mixing sodium phosphate with sulphate of iron in certain proportions. The resulting precipitate is filtered, washed and dried, and rubbed to a powder, which is bluish-gray from ex- posure to the air, without odor or taste. Soluble in acids, but insoluble in alcohol or water. It is probably this phosphate which is capable of turning blue, which occurs in the lungs in phthisis in bluish pus and expectorations. Preparation. — The pure phosphate of iron is prepared by trituration, as directed under Class VII, American Pharma- copoeia. FERRTJM PHOSPHORICUM. 57 Physiologico-chemical Data. — Iron is found in the haemo- globin or coloring matter of the red blood corpuscles. Ac- cording to Dalton, it is not found in such considerable quanti- ties in any of the other tissues of the body except in hair. In a man weighing 65 kilogrammes (165 pounds) there would be 2.82 grammes (44 grains) of iron contained in the entire blood of the body. The organic basis of every cell is albu- men. Since albumen contains iron, each cell must likewise contain iron. Iron and its salts have the property of attracting oxygen. The iron of the blood corpuscles takes up the oxygen from the inspired air. This is carried to every cell through- out the organism by means of the mutual reaction of Iron and Kali sulph. A disturbance of the equilibrium of the iron molecules in the muscular fibres causes a relaxation. This, occurring in the muscular coats of the vessels, causes a dila- tation and accumulation of blood in the blood vessels — con- gestion— blood-pressure being increased, the walls rupture, and hemorrhage results. Again, if the muscular walls of the intestinal villi suffer a relaxation from the disturbed equi- librium of the iron molecules diarrhoea results ; when this occurs in the muscular walls of the intestines themselves the peristaltic action of the bowels is weakened and becomes less active. This causes tendency to constipation. Anything causing a relaxation of the muscular walls of a vessel, and consequent hyperaemia, such as an injury, finds its remedy in Ferr. phos., as this remedy in minute doses restores the equi- librium to the iron molecules, thus strengthening the muscu- lar fibres. Through its power of attracting oxygen iron becomes a useful remedy in such diseases of the blood cor- puscles as anaemia, chlorosis and leucaemia. General Action. — From the above it is readily seen that Ferr. phos. becomes the first remedy in all cases depending on a relaxed condition of muscular tissue, wherever found ; also for an abnormal condition of the blood corpuscles themselves. If a new supply of iron molecules is given to the relaxed muscle cells, caused by the lack of iron, their normal tonicity is restored, the circular fibres of the vessels contract to normal 58 THE TWELVE TISSUE REMEDIES. bounds, with equalizing of the circulation and abatement of the fever. Its field of action, then, is in all ailments of a hypersemic or congestive nature, with the usual accompaniments of these conditions, such as pain, heat, swelling and redness, quickened pulse and increased circulation ; in a word, all febrile d'Sturb- ances and inflammations at their onset, especially before exudation commences. Anaemia, want of red blood, etc. Especially use- ful in debility of children with failing appetite, becoming dull and listless, loss of weight and strength. Ferr. phos. not only improves the strength, but helps to increase the bodily de- velopment and regulates the bowels. This drug is by Schussler supposed to be no longer indi- cated when exudation or even suppuration takes place ; but if adapted to the individual patient it may still be depended upon. Only when it fails to do any more good should it be relinquished. In many inflammatory and some eruptive fevers, especially in the young and sensitive, seeming to stand midway between the intensity of Aeon, and Bellad. and the dulness of Gelsem. Iron is the biochemic remedy for : i. The first stage of all inflammations. 2. Pains that are worse from motion and better from cold.