833 INORGANIC AGENTS 



intersection of two imaginary lines drawn from either eye up to the root 

 of the opposite ear. 



Class 3. — ^Nitrites. 



Sprarnjs ^thebis Niteosi. Spirit of Nitrous Ether. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Synonym. — Sweet spirit of nitre, spiritus nitri dulcis, E.; 6tiier azoteux al- 

 coolisl, liqueur anodine nitreuse, Fr. ; versiisster salpetergeist, Q. 



•An alcoholic solution of ethyl nitrite (C2H.NO2), yielding, when freshly pre- 

 pared, not less than 4 per cent, of ethyl nitrite. 



Derivation. — Mix sulphuric acid (40 mils) with water (120 mils), cool and 

 add alcohol and water (each, 85 mils) and place in 1000-mil flask surrounded by 

 ice and water. Dissolve sodium nitrite (100 Gm.) in water (280 mils), filter 

 and allow filtrate to drop slowly into the flask above. Wash ethyl nitrite formed 

 with sodium carbonate solution, to remove acid, and agitate with potassium car- 

 bonate, to remove water. Add ethylnitrite to 22 times its weight of alcohol. 



Properties. — A clear, mobile, volatile, inflammable liquid, of a pale-yellow or 

 faintly greenish-yellow tint, having a fragrant ethereal and pungent odor, free 

 from acridity, and a sharp burning taste. Spec. gr. 0.823. Mixes freely with 

 Wfltcp 3.nd fllcohol 



Dose.—n. & C., Bi-iv, (30-120) ; Sh. & Sw., 3il-iv, (8-15) ; D., Tn.x-3i, (.6-4). 

 Smaller doses every two hours, diaphoretic. Larger doses, repeated three 

 times daily, diuretic. 



Amylis Niteis. Amyl Nitrite. CbHj.NO^. (U. S. P.) 

 Synonym. — Amyl nitris, B. P.; amylium nitrosum, P. G.; amylo-nitrous ether, 

 E.; azotite d'amyl, Fr. ; amylnitrit, G. 



A liquid containing not less than 80 per cent, of CsH„NOj. 

 Derivation. — Obtained through distillation of nitric acid and amylic alcohol. 

 Distillate purified by sodium carbonate. HNOa-hC^H,, OH = C5H„NO.+2 H2O. 

 Properties. — A clear, yellowish liquid, of a peculiar ethereal, fruity (banana) 

 odor, and a pungent, aromatic taste. Spec. gr. 0.865 to 0.875. 

 Dose (by inhalation).— H., 3ss-i, (2-4); D., Hil-v, (.12-.3). 

 When given internally the smaller doses should be used dissolved in alcohol. 

 Spiritus Glyceeylis Niteatis. Spirit of Glyceryl Trinitrate, Spirit of Glonoin. 

 C,H„ (N 03)3. (U. S. P.) 

 Synonym. — Liquor trinltrini, B. P.; glonoin trinitrate, spirit or solution of 

 nitroglycerin, trinitrate of glyceryl, trinitin, E.; nitroglyceringeist, G. 



An alcoholic solution containing not less than 1 per cent, nor more than 1.1 

 per cent, of C3Hj(N03)s. It is probably decomposed in the blood with the forma- 

 tion of potassium and sodium nitrite. 



Derivation. — Nitroglycerin is obtained by dropping pure glycerin upon a 

 mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids, kept cool by ice, and purified by washing 

 with water. The official one per cent, solution is not explosive unless it becomes 

 concentrated by evaporation to an extent exceeding 10 per cent. 



Properties. — A clear, colorless liquid, having the odor of alcohol. Caution 

 should be exercised in tasting it, since even a small quantity is liable to produce 

 a violent headache. Spec. gr. 0.814 to 0.820. 

 Dose.—n., 3ss-i, (2-4); D., Tlli-ii, (.06-.12). 



Action of the Nitrites. 



External. — Spirit of nitrous ether, like ether, produces a dooling and 

 local anesthetic action, owing to its evaporation upon the skin. Amyl 

 nitrite has a slight depressing action upon the peripheral ends of the 

 sensory nerves. 



Internal. — The actions of spirit of nitrous ether, amyl nitrite and 

 nitroglycerin are essentially the same. Spirit of nitrous ether should 

 contain 4 per cent, of ethyl nitrite. Analysis of 68 samples taken at 



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