ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF CERTAIN AMYL COMPOUNDS. 277 



to their full extent, even an experienced observer would think that recovery 

 were impossible ; but in truth the animal cannot be killed by any fair play 

 with this vapour. In order actually to kill, it is necessary to complicate the 

 experiment by actual reduction of air, or by closing the chamber and retain- 

 ing the carbonic acid of the breath. Aniylic alcohol produces a crenate and 

 slightly shrunken condition of the blood-corpuscles, and the red blood is 

 slightly darkened by it, but no change is produced in the property of coagu- 

 lation. The odour of the substance remains for many hours in the tissues. 

 The oxide has little action on the skin. 



Acetate op Amyl. 



The acetate of amyl is made by distilling together 1 part of potato oil, 2 of 

 acetate of potassa, and 1 of concentrated sidphuric acid. The distilled fluid is 

 washed with alkali, and distilled from chloride of calcium. It boils at 272°. 

 Its composition is C 4 H 3 3 . 



Acetate of oxide of amyl is a compound of oxide of amyl with acetic acid. 

 It is a clear fragrant fluid, and is sold for flavouring purposes under the name 

 of essence of pears. It acts like the other preparations in preserving organic 

 substances. 



Physiologically the effects of the acetate of amyl may be induced feebly by 

 subcutaneous injection, or by administration by the mouth, but best by inha- 

 lation from the atomizer. It is very pleasant to inhale, and produces scarcely 

 any irritation. "When inhaled by an animal, it produces the very same sym- 

 ptoms as amylic alcohol ; indeed these are so closely alike, that I could not by 

 mere observation of the symptoms tell which agent was being employed. It 

 is quite possible to induce perfect insensibility to pain by this agent. The 

 rigors, so remarkable as regards their regularity of occurrence, are presented 

 in marked degree ; a touch or noise calls them into action, and the paralysis 

 of the voluntary muscular system is complete ; but by itself the acetate does 

 not destroy, and I have held an animal under its influence for ten hours with 

 perfect recovery afterwards. 



I have inhaled the vapour myself in proportions varying from fifteen to 

 twenty-five per cent, without any unpleasant symptom. It slightly quickens 

 the action of the heart, and it produces a little irritation of the throat, such 

 as follows the inhalation of vapour of vinegar, but, on the whole, the effect 

 is pleasant. After a short time there is a gentle sensation of drowsiness, but 

 no loss of sensation nor of consciousness, no faintness, no nausea, but a slight 

 tremulousness of the muscles, the same unquestionably as the tremor which is 

 seen in the more determinate manner in the lower animals. 



The acetate of amyl does not interfere with the process of coagulation of 

 the blood, but it renders the blood darker in colour, and the corpuscles are 

 made irregular and crenate. The odour of it does not remain long in the 

 tissues. The acetate exerts a feeble action upon the skin, causing some vas- 

 cularity and soreness when long applied. 



Iodide of Amyl. 



The iodide is made by distilling together 15 parts of potato oil, 1 of phos- 

 phorus, and 8 of iodine. It volatizes, without being decomposed, at 294°. 



The iodide of amyl is a compound of amyl with iodine. Its composition 

 isC 10 H n I. 



It is a slightly pinkish liquid, the odour is less agreeable than that of the 

 acetate of amyl, but is more pleasant than that of amylic alcohol. It rapidly 

 changes the colour of flowers and plants, and although it is an antiseptic 



