CHLOROFORM 371 



extract of glycyrrhiza and two ounces of water, the dose 

 ranging, according to the size and condition of the patient, 

 from two to four fluid drachms. 



CHLOROFORM 



CHLOROFORMUM, or Trichloromethane, CHC1 3 , to which has 

 been added sufficient absolute alcohol to produce a 

 liquid having a specific gravity not less than 1'490, and 

 not more than 1*495. Trichloromethane may be pre- 

 pared by distilling together ethylic alcohol, chlorinated 

 lime, slaked lime and distilled water (B.P.). 



Chloroform was discovered in 1832, about the same time, 

 by Soubeiran and Liebig ; its effects on the lower animals 

 were described by Dr. Glover in 1842; while its valuable 

 anaesthetic properties were first discovered and applied by 

 the late Sir James Y. Simpson in 1847. Since then it has 

 been largely and successfully used for the alleviation of 

 human and animal suffering during surgical operations, 

 parturition, and various diseases. 



PROPERTIES. Chloroform is a limpid, colourless, neutral, 

 pungent fluid, with a sweet taste, and a characteristic odour. 

 At ordinary temperatures it entirely volatilises. It is 

 slowly decomposed by sunlight, and hence must be kept 

 in the dark. Its vapour is four times heavier than air. 

 It should boil between 140 and 143 Fahr. Though not 

 spontaneously inflammable, it can be burned round a wick 

 saturated with alcohol, forms a green, sooty flame, and 

 evolves hydrochloric acid. It is soluble in two hundred 

 parts of water, and in alcohol (90 per cent.), ether, oil of 

 turpentine, olive oil, and carbon bisulphide ; insoluble in 

 glycerin. It readily dissolves iodine, bromine, volatile 

 oils, wax, resin, and many organic active principles. 



IMPURITIES. Chloroform carelessly prepared or im- 

 perfectly purified contains volatile organic oils, which, if 

 inhaled, induce nausea and headache. Such specimens 

 have an unpleasant, pungent odour when evaporated from 

 the back of the hand, and are blackened by agitation with 

 sulphuric acid. Samples containing more than the one per 



