OFFlCIAIv INSPECTIONS 40. 



9^ 



stopper and kept in the dark in a refrigerator. At intervals dur- 

 ing three months samples were drawn and tested. Each time a 

 test was made about two ounces were poured out and thrown 

 away in imitation of a sale of that amount. The bottle was 

 full when the test began and was about half empty at the end 

 of 90 days. The results were as follows : 



Table shozvhig changes in eomposition of properly stored szveet 

 spirit of nitre tested at intervals during three months. 





Ethyl 

 nitrite. 



Per cent. 

 U. S. P. 

 standard. 



Days 

 kept. 



1909. 

 June 3 



Made and tested 



% 

 4.06 

 4.06 



4.06 



4.06 



3.97 



3.83 



101.5 

 101.5 



101.5 



101.5 



99.3 



95.8 









Tested 



13 



July 17 



Two ounces poured out. 



Tested 



44 





Two ounces poured out. 



Tested 



61 





Two ounces poured out. 



76 



Sept. 1 



Two ounces poured out. 



Tested 



90 



It will be seen that under conditions that can be readily 

 imitated in any drug store sweet spirit of nitre may, even in sum- 

 mer, be kept perfectly for 60 days, and in good condition for 

 90 days. 



Pre;paring and Kee;ping Swe;et Spirit oii' Nitre. 



If spirit of nitrous ether is prepared, kept and dispensed in 

 accord with the following directions that were published in 1908 

 by the Executive of the Drug Law it will be of perfect strength. 



Concentrated nitrous ether. Purchase concentrated nitrous 

 ether from a reliable house. If the label does not carry the U. 

 S. serial number, obtain a written guaranty from the seller as 

 to its strength. 



Buy in small sealed packages so that the spirit of nitrous 

 ether made therefrom will under ordinary conditions be sold 

 inside of one month.* 



* Concentrated nitrous ether in small-sealed tubes or other packages 

 may be purchased and when added to one pint of alcohol will make 

 a trifle more than one pint of spirit of nitrous ether of U. S. P. strength. 



