MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 175 



scribing alcohol it is prescribed, s abbreviated Spts. Vini Rectif., 

 or as Alcohoiis. 



Alcohol is a liquid composed of 91 per cent by weight or 

 94 per cent by volume of Bthyl Alcohol, and 9 per cent by 

 weight, or 6 per cent by volume of water. This is referred to as 

 alcohol. (Grain Spirit.) 



Character.- — A transparent, colorless and volatile liquid of a 

 characteristic pungent and agreeable odor and burning taste ■ „ 

 this is grain spirits ; it is made from the distillation of fermented 

 grain. 



aecohoe dieutum — Diluted Alcohol, r- 



Contains 41 per cent by weight or 48.6 per cent by volume 

 of absolute ethyl alcohol ; this is about one-half the strength of 

 alcohol. 



aecohoe absoeutum — Absolute Alcohol. 



This should not contain more than 1 per cent of water by 

 weight. 



aecohoe amyeicum — Amylic Alcohol. (Not Official.) 



Known as Fusel Oil; this is a peculiar alcohol obtained from 

 fermented grain or potatoes, by continuing the process of dis- 

 tillation, after the ordinary spirit or true alcohol has ceased to 

 come over; in other words, it is the result of excessive distilla- 

 tion. 



Character. — It is an oily, nearly colorless liquid, having a 

 strong, offensive or stifling odor, and an acrid burning taste; 

 it should be used with great caution as it is a powerful general 

 depressant, whether taken internally, applied locally, or by in- 

 halation. 



Uses. — It should be used with caution ; used to scatter around 

 the barn and premises to kill chicken lice ; it will kill a dog very 

 quickly when applied locally to a large surface. Applied to en- 

 larged bursae, full strength, twice daily it tends to reduce them. . 



SPIRITUS frumenti — Whisky. *" 



Contains 44 to 50 per cent by weight, or 50 to 58 per cent 

 by volume of alcohol, and is made by the distillation of fer- 

 mented grain, and should be at least two years old. 



spiriTus vini gallici — Brandy. 



It is an alcoholic liquid obtained by the distillation of fer- 

 mented grapes ; should be at least four years old. Its alcoholic 



