310 VIII. ACIDS.— Sulphuric. 



receiver in the least, by using a plain glass retort capable of hold- 

 ing 2 or 4 quarts of water, putting into the acid a few fragments 

 of glass, and connecting the retort with a large globular receiver 

 by a glass adapter 4 feet long, and from 1 to 2 inches in diameter, 

 unluted and fitting very loosely at each end, that the vapours which 

 rush forth occasionally may not burst the vessels ; the retort is to 

 be placed over a charcoal fire, and the jflame made to play loosely 

 on its bottom. Sulphuric acid is used as a caustic to warts or 

 wounds, and in many trades, particularly dyeing, so that 3000 

 tons of it are consumed yearly in the British islands. 



Spirit of vitriol, Spiritus vitrioli, Sp. vitrioli tenuis. The phlegm 

 that comes over, in rectifying the acid distilled from green vitriol, 

 sp. gr. 1-200. 



Acidum sulphuricum dilutum, P. E. and P. D. Sulphur, acid 

 1 oz., water 7 oz., both by weight. 



Vitriol to clean coppers, Acidum sulphuricum dilutum, P. L. 

 Sulph. acid 1 oz., water 7 oz., both by measure. 



Elixir of vitriol. Elixir vitrioli. Water q, p. add oil of vitriol 

 q. s. to give a grateful acidity. Tonic, astringent, gtt. xx to 3ij, 

 in a cup of water ; or 3j to 3viij water for a gargle to check a 

 salivation : used by workmen and servants to clean copper and 

 iron work ; also, as a cheap acid in punch or acid stews instead of 

 lemons, and to give strength to poor vinegar. 



Sulphurous acid, Aqua sulphurata, Gas sulphuris. Collected 

 by burning brimstone 2lb. under a glass jar, standing with its 

 mouth downwards in a plate of water, holding two pints till the 

 water is sufficiently acid. 



2. Oil of vitriol 8 oz., quicksilver 4 oz., boil in a retort, and 

 pass the gas into a pint of water : the bottom will serve for mak- 

 ing turbith mineral or corrosive sublimate. 



3. Oil of vitriol 3 oz., charcoal in small pieces 1 oz., distil into 

 3 pints of water ; cheap, but much carbonic acid gas is produced, 

 which incommodes the operation, and the bottom is of no use. 



4. Oil of vitriol 1 oz., sulphur 3j, dissolve and add water 6 oz. 

 Used to bleach silk, straw, take fruit-stains out of linen, to analyze 

 iron and steel, and stop the fermentation of wine. 



Spirit of amber, Spiritus succini. — Volatile salt of amber. 

 Succinic acid, Sal succini, Acidum succini. Obtained by distillation 

 from amber, pressing the acid salt between blotting-paper, and 

 either subliming it again, or dissolving it in water and crystal- 

 lizing: antispasmodic, diuretic, gr. v to 3J. 



