Iodine, History

Bruckner CHR, Hajdu S and Schiaditz H (1986) Iodine, history and importance. In Anke M et al. eds. Iodine, 5. Spurenelement-Symposium, pp. 6-12. University of Leipzig and Jena, Kon-gress- und Werbedruck Oberlungwitz, Germany. 

The history of iodine transfer polymerization may be traced back to telomerization experiments carried out in the 1940fs.26"3" Iodine-transfer... 

Before a patient starts therapy with an antithyroid drug, die nurse obtains a history of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. It is important to include vital signs, weight, and a notation regarding the outward symptoms of die hyperthyroidism (see Table 51-1) in the physical assessment. If die patient is prescribed an iodine solution, it is essential that die nurse take a careful allergy history, particularly to iodine or seafood (which contains iodine). 

Salt has been a precious commodity throughout most of human history. Rome s armies were paid in salt, which Mral is the origin of the word salary. Salt is a seasoning, an essential nutrient, and a very important preservative. Table salt is sodium chloride combined with iodine sources (for nutrition), stabilizers for the iodine, and anticaking compounds to prevent it from absorbing water from the air so it can pour freely. 

Similar to the history of many other elements, iodine s discovery was serendipitous in the sense that no one was looking for it specifically. In 1811 Bernard Courtois (1777—1838), a French chemist, attempted to remove sodium and potassium compounds from the ash of burned seaweed in order to make gunpowder. After removing these chemicals from the ash, he added sulfuric acid (H SO j) to the remaining ash. However, he mistakenly added too much acid, which produced a violet-colored vapor cloud that erupted from the mixture. This violet vapor condensed on all the metallic objects in the room, leaving a layer of sohd black iodine crystals. Sir Humphry Davy (1778—1829) confirmed this discovery of a new element and named it iodine after the Greek word iodes, which means violet, but it was Courtois who was given credit for the discovery of iodine. 

The history of the use and development of methods of analysing quinolizidine alkaloids shows a move away from the deployment of iodine towards the use of complicated biological processes, such as antialkaloid antibody and enzymatic processes. It seems to be necessary to incorporate biological methods of alkaloid analysis into the system of analytic-chemical monitoring used in modern laboratories. 

Bromine.—Of the three halogens, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, bromine has the least eventful history. Its elemental nature and its relation to chlorine and iodine were recognized from the very first. While studying the mother-liquid which remains after the crystallization of salt from the water of the salt-marshes of Montpellier, A. J. Balard was attracted by the intense yellow coloration developed when chlorine water is added to the liquid. A. J. Balard digested the yellow liquid with ether decanted off the supernatant ethereal soln. and treated this with potassium hydroxide. The colour was destroyed. The residue resembled potassium chloride but unlike the chloride, when heated with manganese dioxide and sulphuric acid it furnished red fumes which condensed to a dark brown liquid with an unpleasant smell. 

The history of the iodides dates from the time of J. L. Gay Lussac s discovery 1 of hydriodic acid in 1813. Iodides occur in sea-water, and in the waters of many natural springs and brines. Iodides also occur in varec in the nitre beds of South America and in many natural phosphates. In whatever form iodine occurs in these substances, it is usual to extract this element as iodine, and subsequently to convert this into the iodide—generally potassium iodide. Potassium iodide is used in analytical and photographical work, and medicinally for the treatment of scrofulous, rheumatic, and syphilitic diseases. Sodium iodide is used as a precipitant for gold and silver in the treatment of weak copper ores from Tharsis, etc. 

As yet, little is available in terms of properly documented iodine treatment case histories, but it is difficult to see the advantages of iodine chemistry over bromine chemistry for most general-purpose cooling systems. 

Hyperthyroidism from povidone-iodine is rarer than hypothyroidism (SEDA-20, 226), but a history of longterm use of iodine-containing medications should be considered when investigating the cause of hyperthyroidism. 

A 48-year-old woman developed palpitation and insomnia (52). The clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests supported hyperthyroidism. Since July 1994 she had been combating constipation by improper use of an iodine-containing antiseptic cream for external use only. She had inserted povidone-iodine into her rectum by means of a cannula. 

Acute sialadenitis ( iodide mumps ) has been described in a 70-year-old man who underwent femoral artery angiography with an iodine-containing contrast agent he gave a history of a similar episode 24 hours after a previous angiogram (56). 

Reversible hypothyroidism has been reported in nursing-home residents without a history of thyroid disease, who had been taking iodinated glycerol as an expectorant (443). Hypothyroidism has been reported after longterm treatment with iodinated glycerol (444). 

A 70-year-old woman with a history of mastectomy developed syncope which lasted a few seconds. She had taken tamoxifen 10 mg bd for 10 years and had no history of allergic reactions. Doppler ultrasound showed aortic stenosis and coronary angiography was performed using 150 ml of iopromide (a non-ionic contrast medium, iodine 370 mg/ml). She had visual hallucinations (spiders on the wall, moving curtains) 30 minutes after the injection of iopromide. The symptoms resolved 72 hours later without any specific treatment. Neurological and psychiatric examinations were normal, as were brain MRI and Doppler ultrasound of the carotid and vertebral arteries. 

A 64-year-old man with a history of ischemic heart disease underwent coronary angiography with 150 ml of iopromide (iodine 370 mg/ml). One hour later he had visual hallucinations (moving objects, pictures of familiar persons), which resolved about 40 hours later without any treatment. He had taken the following drugs for a year nifedipine 10 mg tds, metoprolol 50 mg bd, and aspirin 325 mg/day. His serum creatinine concentration was in the reference range and there was no history of allergies or previous exposure to contrast media. 

MRCP visualises the biliary and pancreatic system and is used to identify obstruction. It uses MRI and the inherent contrast properties of bile and pancreatic fluids to produce the image, and therefore does not require the injection of contrast media. It is used as an alternative to ERCP as it is non-invasive and can be used for patients with a history of allergy to iodine. 

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