56 



ALCOHOL 



givo a colour to its flamo ; thus the solutions of the salts of strontia in alcohol 

 burn -with a crimson flame, those of copper and borax with a green one, lime a reddish, 

 and baryta with a yellow flame. 



This solvent power is, however, most remarkable in its action upon resins, ethers, 

 essential oils, fatty bodies, alkaloids, as well as many organic acids. In a similar 

 way it dissolves iodine, bromine, and in small quantities sulphur and phosphorus. 

 In general it may be said to be an excellent solvent for most hydrogenised organic 

 substances. 



Uses. In consequence of this property it is most extensively used in the chemical 

 arts : e.g. for the solution of gum-resins, &c., in the manufacture of varnishes ; in 

 pharmacy, for the separating of the active principles of plants, in the preparation 

 of tinctures. It is also employed in the formation of chloroform, ether, spirits of 

 nitre, &c. 



The great use of alcohol, in its various states of mixture, is, and has been from 

 time immemorial, as a beverage. There cannot be a doubt that alcoholic liquors are 

 beneficial to most healthy persons when moderately enjoyed; and the man who 

 advocates their rational use cannot be held answerable for their abuse. 

 ^ Absolute alcohol (or strong spirits) acts locally as an irritant, contracting the 

 tissues ; but its effects on the organism, when taken internally, arises from its action, 

 by the nerves, on the brain. Dr. Pereira has graphically described three stages of 

 their effects : 



1. Pirst or mildest degree 



2. Second degree 



3. Third degree 



Excitement. 



Intoxication, or drunkenness. 



Coma, or true apoplexy. 



These effects are tolerably familiar, and for a more minute description of them we 

 must refer to Dr. Pereira ' and other medical authors. 



The important applications of alcohol in the arts, as a solvent for resins, &c., have 

 been before alluded to. To the chemist it is a most valuable agent of separation. By 

 its means he is enabled, in complicated organic mixtures, to separate those substances 

 which are soluble from those which are insoluble in this menstruum. It may like- 

 wise be employed for separating certain salts e.g. the chloride of strontium from that 

 of barium, &c. &c. 



From it are also manufactured ether, chloroform, chloral, and, indirectly, acetic 

 acid ; and in pharmacy, sweet spirits of nitre, the various tinctures, &c. &c. 



The Spirits imported and retained for Home Consumption were as follows : 



Pereira, Materia Medica, vol. 11. p. 1948. 



