ETHER 363 



lant are sought ; with ammonium acetate, when diaphoresis 

 is to be encouraged ; with red cinchona, creosote, or sodium 

 benzoate, when antiseptic and astringent effects are to be 

 produced in the intestine. 



ETHER 



A volatile liquid, prepared from ethylic alcohol, 

 by interaction with sulphuric acid, and containing not 

 less than 92 per cent, by volume of ethyl oxide. 

 (C 2 H 5 ) 2 0. Formerly termed sulphuric ether. (B.P.) 



Ether is prepared by heating in a glass flask, connected 

 with a Liebig's condenser, one part of sulphuric acid, and 

 five of rectified spirit, which is added gradually. Every 

 alcohol, by substitution of an alcohol radicle for the H. in 

 the hydroxyl (OH), forms a corresponding ether. Thus, 

 ethyl-alcohol (C 2 H 5 .OH) yields C 2 H 5 .O.C 2 H 5 . 



The B.P. ether (ethyl-ether) contains about eight per cent, 

 of alcohol and water ; is a colourless, very volatile, inflam- 

 mable liquid, with a strong and characteristic odour. 

 Specific gravity, 0'735. It should boil below 105 Fahr. ; 

 yields a vapour two and a half times heavier than air, but 

 half that of chloroform ; is miscible in all proportions with 

 chloroform and alcohol (90 per cent.) ; and is soluble in 

 ten volumes of water. It readily dissolves fats, volatile 

 oils, balsams, resins, and, next after chloroform, is the best 

 solvent for alkaloids. 



Purified ether is ether from which most of the ethylic 

 alcohol and water have been removed by washing with 

 distilled water, and subsequent distillation in the presence 

 of calcium chloride and recently calcined lime. Specific 

 gravity not below '120, and not exceeding '122. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Ether is an active member of the 

 alcohol series. It is exceedingly volatile. Applied ex- 

 ternally it is irritant, refrigerant, and a local anaesthetic. 

 Given internally, it is quickly absorbed ; acts specially on 

 the central nervous system ; primarily, and in small doses, 

 stimulating ; secondarily, and in larger doses, paralysing, 

 and when inhaled producing anaesthesia. Poisonous doses 



