This article was originally published with the title “ Iodine Rendered Soluble by Syrup of Orange Peel and Tanin ” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 7 No. 38 (June 1852), p. 304 doi:10.1038 ...

Pharmacies in several Polish cities were running out of iodine on Saturday as people rushed to buy medicine to protect themselves from radiation from the Japanese nuclear crisis.

Back then, authorities distributed a treatment called Lugol's iodine syrup on a mass scale. Pharmacists said poles were again buying the syrup just in case.