142 MATER r A MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



spirits ; and by far the greater part of the alcohol proper is 

 excreted as carbonic acid and water. 



The diuretic effects of spirits, wines, and especially gin and 

 beer, are well known, and may sometimes be employed in 

 medicine. The diaphoretic effect of alcohol and its applications 

 have been already sufficiently discussed under fever. 



Circumstances modifying the action and employment of alcohol. 

 The different alcoholic fluids act very differently, according 

 to their strength ; their other constituents, already enumerated ; 

 the presence of carbonic acid in them (sparkling drinks), 

 which increases the rapidity of their action on the stomach 

 and possibly of their absorption ; the degree to which they are 

 diluted with water ; and the condition of the stomach as regards 

 the presence of food. The age of the patient, the soundness of 

 his kidneys and other eliminating organs, his habits as regards 

 alcohol, and the amount of exercise which he can take, 

 must also be carefully estimated in ordering the remedy. In 

 conditions of waste and exhaustion, especially febrile states and 

 after operations, large quantities (even 1 pint of brandy per 

 diem) may sometimes be tolerated. 



ALCOHOL AMYLICUM. AMYLIC ALCOHOL. 



" Fousel Oil," C 5 H 12 0, with a small proportion of other 

 spirituous substances. 



Source. Contained in the crude spirit produced by the 

 fermentation of saccharine solutions with yeast, and separated 

 in the rectification of such spirit. 



Characters. A colourless oily liquid, with a penetrating 

 and oppressive odour, and burning taste; specific gravity, -818. 

 Boils at 270. Sparingly soluble in water ; freely in spirit and 

 ether. 



Impurities. Other aethereal substances ; detected by specific 

 gravity and boiling point. 



Preparation. 

 Sodse Valerianas. See Valerians Radix, page 272. 



USE. 



Amylic alcohol is used only to prepare Valerianate of Soda. 

 CHLORQFORMUM. CHLOROFORM. CHC1 3 . 



Terchloride of Formyl. 



Source. Made by (1 and 2) distilling Eectified Spirit with 

 Chlorinated Lime and Slaked Lime (oxydising and chlorinating 

 the alcohol) ; washing with Sulphuric Acid ; and redistilling 



