METHYL ALCOHOL 173 



Horse Septicemia. 



^ Strychninse Sulphatis gr. ss 



Quininse Sulphatis 3 j 



Tinct. Ferri Chloridi 3 j 



Alcoholis q. s ad. 5 jss 



M. Ft. Solutio. 



Sig. Give in six ounces of water, repeat every 3 hours, 



4. To furnish food and stimulation in depressed conditions, and 

 in convalescence. 



5. Alcohol is almost universally used as a menstruum in the 

 preparation of tinctures, fluid extracts, etc. It is often used as a 

 liniment. 



Denatured Alcohol is grain alcohol to which something is added 

 so that it cannot he used internally. 



METHYL ALCOHOL 



Synonym. Wood alcohol. 



Methyl alcohol is made by the destructive distillation of woods 

 and is consequently known as " Wood Alcohol." It is also obtained 

 as a by-product in the manufacture of sugar. It contains 84 per cent, 

 of methylated spirit, some tarry constituents and fusel oils. It is 

 duty free on account of its toxicity and is used principally in the 

 arts and sciences. 



Action. Methyl alcohol acts locally and centrally like Ethyl 

 alcohol, but is somewhat slower in action and the depression is more 

 persistent. Two great differences between methyl and ethyl alcohol 

 are that methyl alcohol is not readily excreted or oxidized, its products 

 formed in the body being formic acid and formaldehyde, and it is 

 believed that these substances together perhaps with acetone are 

 responsible for its toxic action. 



The toxic effects are atrophy of the optic nerve with permanent 

 blindness, and depression of cardiac and voluntary muscle resulting 

 in death. 



Many cases of death or blindness have occurred following its use. 

 Although most of these results have followed debauches with adul- 

 terated spirits, many instances of blindness have come from hair 

 tonics, bay rum, and other toilet preparations in which the cheaper 

 liquid has been substituted. On account of this, the Health Depart- 

 ment of New York City has an ordinance forbidding the use of 

 methyl alcohol for any preparation for human use, either externally 

 or internally. 



DRUGS AFFECTING CHIEFLY THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS 



SYSTEM 



These may be divided into : 



A. Those which depress the peripheral nerves, belladonna, 

 cocaine. 



