CHLORAL HYDRAS. 157 



increases the loss of heat through the skin and kidneys. As a 

 diuretic it is useful when a free watery flow is desired to wash 

 out the tubules and passages, and relax spasm in the renal 

 vessels, as in some cases of Bright's disease with increased 

 arterial tension. Probably for the same reason it fails as a 

 diuretic in cardiac dropsy, where the veins demand relief, and 

 the arterial pressure is already too low. Being a dilator of the 

 renal vessels, it must not be used in acute inflammatory states 

 of the kidney. Spirit of nitrous ether may also relieve angina 

 pectoris, and cardiac pain dependent on a failing and dilating 

 heart in chronic Bright's disease. Like other nitrites, it has 

 benefited some cases of dysmenorrhcea and of asthma. 



4. REMOTE LOCAL ACTION. 



This compound or its constituents are chiefly excreted by 

 the kidneys and lungs. Its diuretic influence has just been 

 described. 



AETHER ACETICUS. ACETIC ETHER. 

 C 2 H,C 2 H 3 2 . 



Source. Made by (1) distilling Kectified Spirit with Acetate 

 of Soda and Sulphuric Acid ; and (2) separating the ethereal 

 liquid by means of Chloride of Calcium. (1) NaC 2 H 3 2 -f 

 H 2 S0 4 + C 2 H 6 O = C 2 H 5 ,C 8 H30 2 + NaHS0 4 + H 2 0. 



Characters. A colourless liquid, with an agreeable ethereal, 

 somewhat acetous odour, and refreshing taste. Specific gravity, 

 0'9 1. Neutral. Soluble freely in rectified spirit and ether, and 

 in about 12 parts of water. 



Dose. 20 to 60 min. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Acetic ether is a stimulant and antispasmodic, murh like 

 ether itself, but forms more agreeable coml>in;itn>ns with other 

 carminatives on account of its pleasant odour and taste. 



CHLORAL HYDRAS. HYDRATE OF CHLORAL, 

 C 2 HCl s O.H a O. 



Source. Made from Chloral by the addition of W;it<T. 

 Chloral (C 2 HC1 3 0) is itself made by the action of dried Chlorine 

 upon anhydrous Alcohol, and purifying. Q.H 8 O + Cl$ = 

 C 2 HC1 3 + 5HC1. 



