CHEMICAL SCIENCE. 231 



(muriatic) acid on hydrocarbons present. If the remaining chloro- 

 form is carefully washed and purified, and again exposed, the same 

 changes succeed ; conclusively proving that the property is inherent. 



The risk attending the use of compounds having the same odor, 

 but really foreign in composition arising from the use of alcohol, 

 which contains fusel oil, in the manufacture of chloroform, is obvious. 

 There is, however, a preparation sold under the name of tincture of 

 chloroform, which is objectionable, and as it has been substituted for 

 chloric ether, has been examined. 



When chloroform is added to alcohol of 85 per cent., it dissolves 

 until about double the value of the alcohol has been mixed. After 

 subsidence, a singular change has taken place ; the water, fusel oil, 

 and some alcohol, unite to form a layer on the surface of the dense 

 alcoholic solution of chloroform. This may be removed, but the solu- 

 tion remains too strong for use. Any alcohol of the shops added, 

 introduces water, hastening the change which chloroform undergoes. 

 When anhydrous alcohol is used, unless distillation has been a resort, 

 the tincture is subject to the same change from neutral to acid state, as 

 chloroform exhibits. After such change hydrochloric acid may be 

 found in it uncombined, unfitting it for any use. 



Theoretically and from observation, the compound chloric ether 

 seems to be the most permanent and convenient form in which the 

 power of chloroform can be exhibited, and as such, should take the 

 place of chloroform, in medical and surgical practice. 



The following correct method of preparing chloric ether, is furnished 

 by Mr. Atwood, of Boston, a chemist of much experience in the sub- 

 ject. He says : 



" In my process for the production of chloric ether, the alcohol is 

 perfectly freed from fusel oil. A larger proportion of alcohol and 

 water are also employed than in the manufacture of chloroform. The 

 following are the proportions I use, viz : Chloride (hypochlorite) of 

 lime, 10 Ibs. ; water, 8 gallons ; pure alcohol, 1 gallon ; carbonate of 

 soda, (crystallized,) half pound. Break down the chloride of lime in 

 the water until the excess of hydrate of lime is in a uniform pulpy 

 mass, and the chloride is perfectly dissolved. Place the mass in a still 

 capable of containing twice the quantity, and introduce the alcohol. 

 Mix perfectly and apply a moderate fire under the still until distil- 

 lation commences. Continue the distillation as long as a portion of 

 the distillate will deposit chloroform on being mixed with its bulk of 

 water, then change the receiver and collect one gallon of alcoholic 

 liquid. 



Add water to the first portion of the distillate as long as chloroform 

 is precipitated. Separate the light liquid from the chloroform, and 

 wash the latter in twice its bulk of water containing the carbonate 

 of soda. Separate the chloroform from the carbonate of soda and 

 weight it. 



Mix the chloroform, washings, and alcoholic liquid in a still placed 

 in a water-bath. After twenty-four hours' repose, distill three times 



