372 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. 



form is therefore a terchloride of this radical. It is 

 a colorless and volatile liquid, of a peculiar, sweetish 

 smell. The inhalation of its vapor, produces insensi- 

 bility to pain, and is much employed in surgical ope- 

 rations, for this purpose. Ether has the same effect, 

 in a less degree. A mixture of the two, is more com- 

 monly employed in this country. 



936. FUSEL OIL. Fusel oil is a peculiar 



What is fusel ,.,-.,, f . 



oil? Mention kind of alcohol, of extremely nauseous 

 its properties. Q ^ an( j p O j sonous properties, which ac- 

 companies ordinary alcohol in its production from 

 potatoes and grain. It may he separated by nitration 

 through charcoal. But this process of purification is 

 often neglected, and the fusel oil left to add its poison 

 to the deleterious effects of the alcohol itself. It is 

 this doubly poisonous alcohol which forms the basis 

 of numerous manufactured liquors, wines, and cordials. 

 Fusel oil is the hydrated oxide of amyl. This radical 

 contains ten atoms of carbon, to eleven of hydrogen. 

 It belongs to the series of alcohols mentioned in the 

 first chapter of organic chemistry. 



ORGANIC ACIDS. 



mat is said 937 - ACETIC ACID. Ordinary vinegar 

 of theproduc- j s a dilute acetic acid. It cannot be con- 



tion and prop- 

 erties of acetic centrated by evaporation, as the acid is 



volatile, as well as the water which dilutes 

 it. To obtain the strong acid, recourse is had to the 

 salts of acetic acid, from which it is prepared by the 

 method used for nitric and muriatic acids. The pure 



