322 INORGANIC AGENTS 



practice within 18 hours of etherization (through a closed cone). Death 

 may sometimes occur in coma, following ether anesthesia, with rapid 

 pulse and breathing and the odor of acetone in the breath. This occurs 

 less often than with chloroform (which see, under metabolism). 



Uses. — Apart from its value as an anesthetic, ether is mainly of 

 service for two purposes. First: in collapse, syncope, or "sinking spells," 

 due to poisoning, or natural causes. Ether may be given by the mouth, 

 or subcntaneously into the muscular tissue, to avoid abscess. It should 

 not be given as a stimulant when such an agent is required during or 

 following anesthesia. Second: In spasmodic colic or tympanites, ether 

 relieves pain, spasm and flatulence. The following prescription will be 

 found useful for the horse: 



^theris §1. 



Chloroformi 3ii. 



Tine, opli gii. 



M. et f. haustus. 



S. Give at once in a. pint of cold water. 



Ether is a good antispasmodic remedy for asthma, hiccough or 

 "thumps," in the horse, and has a narcotic action upon tape and lumbri- 

 coid worms. When used for the latter purpose, ether should be followed 

 by a purge. Ether may be employed in an enema to narcotize and re- 

 move thread worms of the horse. Ether should never be given internally 

 or by inhalation to animals whose flesh is to be eaten soon after as it 

 imparts a strong flavor to the meat and is also said to "spot" it. 



Administration. — Ether should be given in gelatine capsules; mixed 

 with two parts of cracked ice and water; or with equal parts of brandy 

 and whisky, to avoid undue irritation by ether and its vapor upon the 

 mucous membranes during deglutition. , 



CHLOBoroRMUM:. Chloroform. C H Clj. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Chloroformum purjficatum, purified chloroform, E.; chlorofor- 

 mium, P. G.; formylum trichloratum, chloroforme pur, Fr. ; reines chloroform, G. 



A liquid consisting of 99 to 99.4 per cent., by weight, of C H Clj, and 0.6 to 

 1 per cent, of alcohol. 



Derivation. — Alcohol and water are heated in a still to 37.7° C. (100° F.), 

 when chlorinated lime is added and chloroform is evolved. The chemical action 

 is very complicated. Chloroform, free from chlorinated compounds, is also made 

 from acetone and chlorinated lime by distillation. Calcium acetate, hydrate and 

 chloride result as by-products. 



2 CaHeO-l-e Ca O Cl2 = 2 C H Clj+Ca (C,H,Oa)a+2 Ca O^H^+a Ca C\. 



For tests and purification, vid. U. S. P. 



Properties. — A clear, colorless, mobile liquid, of a characteristic, ethereal 

 odor, and a burning, sweet taste. Spec. gr. 1.474 to 1.478 at 25° C. (77° F.). 

 Soluble in about 210 times its volume of water, and miscible with alcohol, ether, 

 benzene, petroleum, benzin and the fixed and volatile oils. Chloroform is volatile 

 even at a low temperature, and boils at about 61° C. (140° F.). It is not inflam- 

 mable, but its vapor in the presence of a naked flame undergoes decomposition 

 with the formation of noxious gase^, chiefly chlorine. This has caused death 

 during chloroform inhalations. Chloroform is a. solvent for fats, resins, oils, bal- 

 sams, gutta percha, wax and many alkaloids. 



Dote.—n. 8f C, 3i-ii, (4-8); Sb. & Sw., lH,xx-xxx, (1.8-2); D., 11T,ii-xx, 

 (.12-1.8). 



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