314 INORGANIC AGENTS 



2. To stimulate the heart. 



3. To relieve spasm of vascular, nervous, or muscular 

 origin. 



4. To ihcrease the secretion of urine. 

 Administration. — Sweet spirit of nitre is given by the 



mouth, diluted vrith water, and often combined with alco- 

 holic stimulants ( whiskey ), diarphoretics ( liq. ammon. 

 acetatis), diuretics (potassium nitrate), and bitters (quinine). 

 Amyl nitrite is administered usually by inhalation to 

 the larger animals, from a sponge ; or two or three drops 

 are given by inhalation from a bit of linen or cotton to the 

 smaller animals. It may be given internally on sugar to 

 the smaller animals, or in spirit to the larger patients. The 

 spiritus glonoini is the only preparation of nitroglycerin 

 in use. It may be dropped undiluted upon the tongue of 

 the conscious or unconscious animal. The tongue of the 

 smaller animals luay be frequently moistened with a small 

 stick dipped in the solution, or it may be given in pill or 

 tablet. 



Class 4.— Chloral. 



Chloralum Hydratum. (U. S. P.) 

 Chloral Hydrate. Chloral. C,H CI3O + H,0. 



Synonym. — Chloral hydras, B. P.; hydrate of chloral, E.; 

 chloratum hydratum crystallisatum, P. G.; hydrate de chlo- 

 ral, Fr.; chloralhydrat, G. 



A crystalline solid, composed of trichloraldehyde, or 

 chloral with one molecule of water. 



Derivation. — Dry chlorine gas is passed into absolute 

 alcohol until the latter is saturated. Aldehyde and hydro- 

 chloric acid first result, C,H,0 H + 2 CI = C,H,0 + 2 H CI. 

 The chlorine gas then acts upon the aldehyde, abstracting 3 

 atoms of hydrogen and replacing 3 atoms of chlorine, and so 

 forms chloral. C,H,0 + 6 CI = C,H CI3O + 3 H CI. 



Chloral is purified first by distillation with sulphuric 

 acid, and then with lime, and when mixed with water forms 

 chloral hydrate (C,H CI3O + H,0). 



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