278 INORGANIC AGENTS 



Administration. — Etlier should be given in gelatine cap- 

 sules; mixed with two parts of cracked ice and water; or 

 with equal parts of brandy or whiskey, to avoid undue 

 irritation of ether and its vapor upon the mucous membranes 

 during deglutition. 



Chloroformum. Chloroform. C H CI3. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Chloroformum purificatum, purified chloro- 

 form, E. ; chloroformium, P. G. ; formylum trichloratum, 

 chloroforme pur, Fr.; reines chloroformum, G. 



A liquid consisting of 99 to 99.4 per cent., by weight, of 

 absolute chloroform, and 1 to 0.6 per cent, of alcohol. 



Derivation. — Alcohol and water are heated in a still to 

 37.7° C. (100° F.), when chlorinated lime is added and 

 chloroform is evolved. The chemical action is very compli- 

 cated. Chloroform, free from chlorinated compounds, is 

 also made from acetone and chlorinated lime by distillation. 

 Calcium acetate, hydrate and chloride result as bye products. 



2 (C3H,0) + 6 (Ca O CI,) = 2 (C H CI,) + Ca (CftO,), 

 + 2 Ca 0,H. + 3 Ca CI,. 



For tests and purification, vid. U. S. P. 



Properties. — A heavy, clear, colorless, mobile and diffus- 

 ible liquid, of a characteristic, ethereal odor, and a burning, 

 sweet taste. Spec. gr. not below 1.490 at 16° C. (59° F.). 

 Soluble in about 200 times its volume of cold water, and in 

 all proportions in alcohol, ether, benzol, benzine and the 

 fixed and volatile oils. Chloroform is volatile even at a low 

 temperature, and boils at 60° to 61° C. (140° to 141.8° F.). 

 It is not inflammable, but its vapor in the presence of a 

 naked flame undergoes decomposition with the formation of 

 noxious gases, chiefly chlorine. This has caused death 

 during chloroform inhalations. Chloroform is a solvent for 

 fats, resins, oils, balsams, gutta percha, wax and many alka- 

 loids. 



Dose.—B.. & C, 3 i.-ii. (4.-8.); Sh. and Sw., ni^xx.-xxx. 

 (1.3-2.); D., 1l\ii.-xx. (.12-1.3). 



