10D'OFORM, or Tai-lono-METitaNE, chemical compound of elution, hydrogen, and iodine, analogous to chloroform It is a yel low crystalline substance, having a penetrating sweetish odor and an unpleasant sweetish taste. It is very soluble in either, moderately so in alco hol, and but very sparingly in water. It melts at 119° C. (2-16.2° F.), and can be readily distilled in a current of steam, although it linderg(ws de composition if distilled alone. It also undergoes gradual decomposition under the action of light. It is produced when iodine comes in contact, in the presence of alkalies, with various organic com pounds of the fatty series, such as ordinary alco hol, aldehyde, acetone. etc. its preparation :nay be conveniently carried out as follows: Dissolve some caustic soda or caustic potash in alcohol diluted with water; warm this solution grmln ally. add iodine to it. and separate the precipi tated balliform by filtration. The filtrate con tains considerable quantities of sodium or po tassium iodide, and sodium or potassium iodate. These may either be recovered entirely, in the form of iodides, or else more alcohol and more caustic soda or potash may he added to the fil trate and a slow current of chlorine passed through it, the iodine of the salts being Hine set free to form further quantities of iodoform. Another convenient method of preparing iodo form consists in gradually adding an aqueous solution of sodium hydro•hlorite to an alkaline solution of potassium iodide in dilute aqueous acetone. iodoform may be manufac tured by subjecting to electrolysis a solution of potassium iodide and acetone (or alcohol) in water with a current of carbonic-avid gas pass ing into the solution. The principal use of iodo
form is for purposes of antisepsis. disinfection, and local stimulation. It has been demonstrat ed that iodine itself really exerts no antiseptic action whatever, and is incapable of preventing the development of inienr-organism.s. When, however, it is brought in contact with a wound, the secretions of the latter speedily deeounpose it, and it is the decomposition products that possess the well-known antiseptic and disinfect ing power. Iodoform, in the form of powder, of an bintment, or of its solution in collodion. is extensively used as an application for syphi litic and tuberculous ulcerations, as well as for sores and wounds of any other kind. One of the disadvantages of iodoform is its disagreeable odor. But this may be masked by the addition of some musk, or by dissolving iodoform in volatile camphor oil or in balsam of fern. lodo form is rapidly absorbed from raw surfaces, and this sometimes gives rise to symptoms of poison ing, and has even caused death. The symptoms vary in different. eases, and may include any two or three of the following: Quick pulse. fever, collapse. dilated pupils, erythema, hallneina t ions, and gast - intestinal irritation. The treatment consists in administering stimulants and diaphoretic's, and sponging the skin with warm water. A substance termed di•lodolorm has been introduced as a substitute for iodoform.
See A =VLF"; F.