354 WHISKY, BRANDY, WINES, RUM, GIN 



ketone) and oily matters. Specific gravity '799 to '803. 

 From ethylic alcohol it is distinguished by heating with 

 sulphuric acid and potassium bichromate, when it yields 

 formic acid ; ethylic alcohol, similarly treated, yields acetic 

 acid. 



Methyl chloride, a gaseous compound, prepared from 

 methylic alcohol and hydrochloric acid, is employed as a 

 local anaesthetic. 



Methylated spirit (spiritus methylatus) is a mixture of 

 nine parts alcohol (90 per cent.) with one part wood naphtha 

 or methylic alcohol. The methylated spirit on sale in oil 

 and other shops contains petroleum oil, which is added to 

 render the mixture distasteful to drinkers. 



Whisky (sp. frumenti) is obtained from fermented grain 

 by distillation. It contains from 50 to 58 per cent, by 

 volume of ethylic alcohol. 



Brandy (sp. vini gallici), a liquid distilled from wine, 

 should contain 43 J per cent., by volume, of ethylic alcohol. 



Champagne, the fermented juice of the grape, contains 

 from 10 to 13 per cent., by volume, of ethylic alcohol, 

 and owes its peculiar bouquet to traces of fragrant ethers. 

 Port contains 20 to 30 per cent. ; sherry, 16 to 22 per 

 cent. ; and claret, hock, and burgundy, 8 to 12 per cent, 

 of ethylic alcohol. 



Rum, a spirit of about the same strength as brandy, is 

 obtained by distillation of a fermented solution of molasses. 

 Hollands, Geneva, and gin are prepared from fermented 

 malt, with a small quantity of juniper berries. They contain 

 from 51 to 59 per cent, of alcohol. 



Ales and porter are made by infusing malt in water, 

 allowing it to stand until the starch is in great part converted 

 into dextrin and sugar, by means of the ferment diastase, 

 boiling the solution with hops, and adding yeast to cause 

 fermentation, which, however, must be carefully controlled. 

 The dark colour of porter depends on a part of the malt 

 being roasted. Stout, or porter and ales contain from 2 to 

 9 per cent, of ethylic alcohol. 



Amylic alcohol. A liquid consisting principally of iso- 

 primary amylic alcohol, and prepared by shaking commercial 

 fusel oil with a saturated solution of common salt, separating 



