ALCOHOL. 365 



918. DISTILLATION OF ALCOHOL. The 



What ^,<< said 



of fae presence process of distillation may be illustrated 

 of distillation? with the simple appals ^presented in 



the figure. On heating wine, cider or beer in the test- 

 tube, its alcohol will be ex- 

 pelled as vapor and re-con- 

 densed as a colorless liquid. 

 The cooler the vial is kept 

 the more perfect is the condensation. The apparatus 

 commonly employed in the distillation of alcohol, con- 

 sists of a large copper vessel in which the fermented 

 wort is heated, and a long tube called the worm, in 

 which the vapors are condensed. The worm is made 

 to wind in a spiral, through a tub of cold water, that 

 the condensation may be more completely effected. 

 The spirit pours out at the lower end of the worm, 

 where it emerges from the tub. It may be strength- 

 ened by repeated distillation. In order to obtain it 

 entirely free from water, a highly rectified spirit is 

 mixed with lime, or chloride of calcium, and re-dis- 

 tilled. These substances have such affinity for water, 

 that they prevent its escape as vapor, while they in 

 no wise effect the distillation of the alcohol. By 

 this means pure alcohol, or absolute alcohol, is ob- 

 tained. 



Wimtis spir- ^19. USES OF ALCOHOL. Ordinary 



it* of wine? spirits of wine is a dilute alcohol contain- 



Mention some . 



uses of aico- ing but about seventy per cent. 01 absolute 

 hol? alcohol. The taste and odor of alcohol 



its combustible character, and action as a stimulus, are 

 too familiar to need further mention. Its density, and 



