- relaxed, they are highly useful, by giving an elasticity and firn m 
of tone. But in a rigid habit, they are equally pernicious, by pro- 
_ ducing a dryness of fibre, and prematurely hastening the approach 
_ ofage. The abuse of ardent spirits is also productive of much more 
_ ‘fatal effects than an immmoderate use of wine. . Wine may be sai 
for the most part to sap. the constitution by degrees ;. spirits, on the 
contrary, attack it by storm, and at once prey on the spirit of ex- 
 jstence. 
~ 
Sat Ammoniac.. Muriate of Ammonia. 
~Sal-ammoniac is found native, especially in the neighborhood of 
volcanoes. It was first prepared in Egypt from the soot of ‘camel’s __ 
dung, by sublimation. But the greatest part of that now i 
manufactured in Europe, either by combining directly 
muriatic acid, or by decomposing the sulp' 
ure of oleae aes aay lime na b 
‘ammonia, It is prepared in solid masses, sem ar 
somewhat ductile. . It is volatile in a small degree of heat; its alkali: 
is extricated in pungent vapors on the admixture of quick its: 
acid is extrieated in white fumes, on pouring concentrated 
acid upon it. It dissolves in rather less than three times” 
Sal ammoniac, when pure, promotes. perspiration, and in some 
cases, increases the secretion of urine. A drachm of it dissolved in 
ter, if. the patient be kept warm after taking it, generally proves: 
sudorific ; given in a large dose, it proves aperient; and-in.a still 
larger, it acts as an emetic. As a cooling and diaphoretic- medicine 
it may be dissolved in vinegar or water, and taken in fevers; dic. — 
