5]2 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



mixed with seven parts of water, form the 

 greater part of tlie distilled vinegar of the 

 shops. 



Medicinal Uses. — See vinegar. 



ACIDUM ACETICUM IMPURUM. 



IMPUJIE ACETIC ACID. VINEGAR. 



This is made by exposing infusion of malt, 

 wines, or any fermentive saccharine mixtures, 

 to the action of atmospheric air, after having 

 induced the fermentation process by heat. 



Medicinal Uses. — Refrigerant — relaxant. — 

 Applied externally, in combination with mu- 

 riatic ammoniae. Used for making infasium 

 cantharidis. 



ACIDUM MURIATICUM. 



MURIATIC ACID. SPIRITS OF SALTS. 



Take Dried common salts - - 2 drach. 

 Sulphuric acid (by weight) 20 grains. 

 Distilled water - - - - l^ pint. 



Mix the acid with half a pint of the water in 

 a glass retort, and to these when cold, add 

 the common salt ; pour the remainder of the 

 water into the receiver, which adapt to the 

 retort, and let the muriatic acid gas distil into 

 the water from a sand bath, with heat gradu- 

 ally raised, until the retort becomes red hot. 



Decomposition. — Common salt is a chloride 

 of sodium, the chlorine of which on the ad- 

 mixture unites to the hydrogen of the w^ater 

 of the sulphuric acid, forming hydrocloric, or 

 muriatic gas, whilst the oxygen of the water 

 unites with the sodium, and forms oxide of 

 sodium, or soda. On the application of heat, 

 the water used in diluting the acid, rises in 

 vapour, and with it combined the muriatic 

 acid gas, and becomes condensed into the 

 receiver, forming liquid muriatic acid, whilst 



the dry sulphuric acid unites with the soda, 

 and forms sulphate of soda, which remains in 

 the retort. 



Medicinal Uses. — Caustic applied exter- 

 nally ; but most commonly used as a solvent 

 for oxymuriate of mercury in the liquor hy- 

 drargyris oxymuriates. 



ACIDUM NITRICUM. 



NITRIC ACID. DOUBLE AQUA FORTIS. 



Take Dried nitrate of potash - 2 pounds. 



Sulphuric acid (by weight) 2 do. 

 Mix them in a glass retort, distil the nitric 

 acid off by means of a sand bath, till a red 

 vapour arises ; then having added another 

 ounce of the dried nitrate of potash, continue 

 the distillation. 



Decomposition. — When these are heated 

 together, a double decomposition takes place. 

 The dry sulphuric acid unites to the potash, 

 and forms sulphate of potash of what remains 

 in the retort ; whilst the nitric acid disen- 

 gaged, unites with the water, rising in the 

 state of vapour, these become condensed in 

 the receiver, and form liquid nitric acid. 



Medicinal Uses. — Caustic and stimulant ; as 

 the former, applied alone ; as the latter, in 

 combination with tar, for t'nrushes, &c. 



ACIDUM SULPHURICUM. 



SULPHURIC ACID. OIL OF VITRIOL." 



Into a chamber, lined with sheet-lead, hav- 

 ing no opening but a small door placed a few 

 inches from the floor, and made to shut very 

 close ; water is then poured so as to cover the 

 floor, and rise upon it to the height of one or 

 two inchesj A stand is then introduced, on 

 which is placed an earthen pot, containing 

 nine parts of refined Sicilian sulphur, and one 

 part of nitrate of potash. This is kindled by 



