Iron is not a foreign substance to the organism. It is constantly
present in the blood, gastric juice, lymph, bile, pigment of the eye and
traces of it in the milk and urine. In man there is 1 part of iron to
230 red blood corpuscles, and in cattle 1 to 194 red globules. That it
performs a very important part is shown in the rapid construction of red
globules when iron is administered in anaemia. Without it haematin is
not formed and red globules diminish in number. By its medicinal use we
furnish to the blood a material which it needs. The action of iron is
not limited merely to the construction of red blood. It also promotes
the appetite and invigorates the digestion when there is no intolerance
to its presence in the stomach. By increasing the disposition for food
and the ability to dispose of it, iron acts as a stomachic, consequently
when given in the healthy state or when administered for too long a
period during disease the gastric glands become exhausted by
over-stimulation; then it is said that iron disagrees. Being a
restorative its use is contra-indicated in a condition of plethora
(fullness of the blood vessels). In large doses the soluble preparations
of iron give rise to nausea and vomiting, some of them possessing more
or less toxic activity. The iodide chloride and sulphate are the most
active. Large doses will produce gangrene of the stomach and intestines.
Certain salts of iron, as the sulphates, nitrates and chlorides, possess
a high degree of astringency, hence they produce constipation when taken
internally. When brought into contact with blood they coagulate it,
forming a tough brownish magma, and as the albuminous elements of the
tissues are also solidified they are powerful haemostatics. Iron is
eliminated chiefly by the intestinal route, partly by the liver into the
bile, thence into the intestines, some by the kidneys also. The tincture
of the chloride being especially diuretic.
Iron is a haematinic, stomachic, styptic, astringent or haemostatic. The
tincture chloride in addition is diuretic. The sulphate is in addition
vermicide. The iodide is alterative and resolvent as well as tonic. A
medicine used in combination with iron may modify or enhance its action.
Externally iron salts contract tissue by coagulating albumen when
applied to raw surfaces or mucous membranes, and through this means by
compressing the blood vessels from without and plugging them from within
with clotted blood, arrest hemorrhage. The astringent salts may also
induce some contraction of the vessels besides. Iron in the form of
liquor ferri chloridi or liquor ferri subsulphatis is the most powerful
of the metallic hemostatic agents we possess.
USES INTERNALLY.--The saccharated carbonate is staple, non-irritating to
the stomach, and especially suited to dogs. It has the same uses as the
sulphate. It is also used for the other animals when the stomach is
weak.
Sulphate of iron is used locally as an astringent and internally as a
haematinic and tonic in anaemia. It improves the appetite and abates
exhausting discharges, as in nasal gleet and leucorrhoea. In atonic
torpidity of bowels it is prescribed with aloes; also in the same way
for intestinal worms. Conjoined with iodine it is the best prescription
for diabetes insipidus. It is also prescribed with good results in the
first stages of liver rot in sheep. Chorea and epilepsy when with
anaemia are benefited by iron. Combined iron and arsenic for chorea.
Septicaemia, pyaemia and all forms of blood poisoning, as purpura,
haemorrhagica, scarlatina, etc., with quinine. The tincture chloride is
prescribed in blood poisoning. In red water of cattle, after bowels are
freely opened. In convalescence from debilitating diseases it is a
valuable tonic combined with other medicines as nux vomica, quinine,
etc. Such diseases as influenza, chest diseases and chronic catarrh
should be followed with iron and other tonics.
Iodide of iron is used when an alterative as well as a tonic action is
desired. It is given to promote the absorption of glandular enlargements
in young and weakly animals, and in swelling of the joints. It is useful
in polyuria or diabetes insipidus, also nasal gleet.
Tincture chloride of iron acts as a haematinic, tonic, antiseptic,
astringent, styptic, diuretic and local irritant or caustic. It is
serviceable in most cases in which the sulphate is recommended. It is
used in atonic dyspepsia and for the removal of intestinal worms, in
relaxed and sore throat.
Tincture Chloride of iron is also used in anaemia combined with arsenic
or quinine, and in blood poisoning combined with quinine. It also
promotes absorption of inflammatory material when associated with
debility and anaemia. It is the most serviceable preparation of iron for
influenza, purpura and scarlatina, as it has a tonic effect on both the
blood and arterioles. In these cases it is prescribed with turpentine,
quinine and oil. It is used in rheumatism in weakly patients alternated
with salol, salicylic acid or salicylate of soda. Also used as an
astringent and stimulant for the genito-urinary mucous membrane. The
tincture being excreted by the kidneys, is preferred to watery solution.
It is particularly suited for distemper and rheumatic lameness in weakly
dogs.
USES.--Externally: Liquor ferri chloridi and liquor ferri subsulphatis
are sometimes used to stop bleeding from wounds or natural cavities of
the body. They may be injected, applied by swab, or on absorbent
material, which is packed into the wound or cavity. As a local
application in pharyngitis, we use one part of the solution of ferric
chloride with four parts of glycerine. In the same strength, diluted
with water, the chloride may be injected into the uterus to stop
hemorrhage. Again, a solution in the strength of two drachms to the pint
of water, is employed as an enema to destroy ascarides. The objection to
these solutions of iron is that they form heavy, nasty, tenacious clots
when employed to arrest hemorrhage, and the clots are apt to decompose
and favor sepsis. Therefore they should not be used if other means, as
ligature, pressure, heat or cold can be utilized. Iron is regarded as a
specific for erysipelas. It is given both internally and externally.
ADMINISTRATION OF IRON.--The fluid preparations should be freely
diluted; the solid preparations should be combined with protectives or
inert remedies, either in powder or capsule form, or with stomachics as
gentian root. Iron causes less gastric irritation and enters the blood
more readily if given with or immediately after meals. In anaemia it
should be given in increased doses. Overcome constipation by giving when
necessary or combining iron with laxatives as linseed oil.