ACTIONS AND USES OF AMMONIA 167 



is ensured when the sample, diluted with four times its 

 volume of distilled water, gives no precipitate with solution 

 of lime, or ammonium sulphide, and, when treated with 

 an excess of nitric acid, it is not rendered turbid by 

 silver nitrate or barium chloride. It is very strongly 

 alkaline, and unites with fats and oils, forming soaps and 

 liniments. 



For most medicinal and pharmaceutical purposes the 

 liquor ammonise fortis is too concentrated, and a diluted 

 solution is made by adding to one volume of liq. ammon. 

 fortis, two volumes of distilled water. This medicinal solu- 

 tion is entitled liquor ammonise, contains 10 per cent, by 

 weight of ammonia NH 3 , and has the specific gravity 0*959. 



A spirit of ammonia of corresponding strength, contain- 

 ing 10 per cent, of gas in rectified spirit, is recognised by 

 the U.S.P. 



Aromatic spirit of ammonia, popularly known as sal- 

 volatile, is a solution of liquor ammoniae fortis and am- 

 monium carbonate in rectified spirit and water, flavoured 

 with oil of nutmeg and lemon. 



ACTIONS AND USES OF AMMONIA. Unlike caustic potash 

 and soda, liquor ammonise does not dissolve the epidermis, 

 and consequently does not cauterise, but if evaporation be 

 prevented, it passes through the epidermis, irritates the 

 dermis and vesicates. Ammonia causes topical irritation. 

 Tolerably concentrated solutions abstract water from the 

 tissues, liquefy their albumin, and saponify their fats. They 

 hence act as corrosives. Ammonia gas entering the air- 

 passages is irrespirable, and causes suffocation by par- 

 alysis of the glottis. Strong solutions swallowed produce 

 gastro-enteritis, while, from absorption, paralysis of the 

 brain centres and coma may ensue. Reflexly, when 

 applied to the nostrils or stomach, it stimulates the vaso- 

 motor centre, raises blood-pressure, stimulates the circu- 

 latory and respiratory nerve-centres, and promotes secretion 

 alike from the mucous surface and skin. It is administered 

 as an antacid, diffusible stimulant, and antispasmodic, and 

 used externally as a stimulant and counter-irritant. 



TOXIC EFFECTS. Hertwig found that half an ounce of the 

 strong solution, given diluted, had no bad effects on horses, 



