SPIRITS. 



The foUowiag Table, drawn up by Lowitz, with an 

 additional column by Dr. Thomfoii, (hews the fpecific gra- 

 vity of different mixtures of pure alcohol, of a ipecific 

 gravity .791, and diltilled water, at the temperatures of 

 60" and 68^ of Fahrenheit. 



* Alcohol of the London and the Dublin Pharmaco- 

 peias, t Ditto (Edinburgh); redified fpirit (London). 

 J Reaified fpirit (Dublin). J Proof fpirit (Lond. Dub.) 

 II Ditto (Edinburgh). ' 



In tlie extraft from Mr. Gilpin's table (fee Specific Gra- 

 vity), the itandard fpirit was of the fpecific gravity of 

 0.825, or contained 89 pure alcohol, and 11 water, in 100 

 parts. 



Pure refkified fpirit has a fragrant odour, and a hot highly 

 pungent talte. It is colourlefs ; always fluid ; cannot be 

 congealed at any known degree of cold ; evaporates fpeedily 

 at the ordinary temperature of the atmofphere ; boils at 

 163° Fahrenheit ; and is extremely inflammable, burning 

 with a blue lambent flame, without any fenfible fmokc. 

 Like alcohol, it combines with water in every proportion ; 

 and, on account of its affinity for water, precipitates many 

 of the neutral falls from their aqueous folutions. It ij ca- 

 pable of diflblving many faline bodies, and is the proper fol- 

 vent of the greater number of the proximate principles of 

 vegetables. Its conftituents are 85 of pure alcohol and 15 

 of water, in 100 parts, when its fpecific gravity is 835, at 

 a temperature of 60° of Fahrenheit ; but 83 only of pure 

 alcohol, and 17 of water, when it is 840, as defignated by 

 the Dublin college. 



Redlified fpirit is a very powerful ftimulant. In its undi- 

 luted itate it is never exhibited as a remedy ; and is merely 

 employed for forming the diluted fpirit, and as a pharma- 

 ceutical agent. 



The " fpiritus tenuior," or " weaker fpirit," of the Lond. 

 Ph.; the " diluted alcohol," the " fpiritus vinofus tenuior 

 five dilutus" of Edinb. Ph.; and " fpiritus vinofus tenuior" 

 of Dub. Ph., or " proof fpirit," is merely reftified fpirit di- 

 luted with a certain proportion of water. According to 

 the London and Dublin colleges, its fpecific gravity (hould 

 be to that of diltilled water, as 930 to 1000 ; while the 

 Edinburgh college orders it of tlie gravity of 935. The 

 former may be formed by mixing four parts by meafure of 

 redlified fpirit with three of water, and contains 44 parts of 

 pure alcohol, and 55 of water, in 100 parts ; the latter 

 is obtained from equal parts of reftified fpirit and water, 

 and contains 42 of pure alcohol, and 58 of water, in 100 

 parts. Alcohol, diluted to the degree of proof-fpirit, is 

 llill a very powerful diffufible itimulant, and too ilrong 

 for internal ufe. Externally applied, it is recommended 

 in burns ; to reftrain bleeding in paflive hxmorrhagies ; 

 and as a friftion or fomentation to relieve mufcular pains ; 

 and in a more diluted ilate it forms a good coUyrium in 

 the latter ftage of ophthalmia. Proof-fpirit diluted with 

 water is employed as a remedy in the form of tinclures and 

 fpirits ; and the ardent fpirits in common ufe may be re- 

 garded as nearly of the fame nature. Thefe taken in mode- 

 ration, increafe the general excitement, communicate addi- 

 tional energy to the mufcular fibres, fl:rengthen the ilomach, 

 and exhilarate the mind. Hence they are often and ad- 

 vantageoufly ufed in cafes of debility and low typhoid 

 fevers, in which the ufe of wine is indicated ; and in habits 

 difpofed to create acidity, they are even preferable to 

 wine ; fome of them, particularly brandy, proving gratefully 

 ilomachic, when wine is naufeated and rejefted. As an ar- 

 ticle, however, of daily or dietetical ufe, particularly if 

 taken in immoderate dofes, or long continued, ardent fpirits, 

 befides being the fource of much moral evil, and debafing 

 the human charafter nearly to a level with that of brutes, 

 are apt to occafion difeafe, and are commonly the origin of 

 dyfpepfia, hypochondriafis, and hepatic and vifceral ob- 

 ftruftions. The hurtful effefts of ardent fpirits, however, 

 are obviated in a confiderable degree by diluting them with 

 water, and adding lemun-juice and fugar to the mixture, fo 

 as to form what is generally known by the name of punch. 

 Although all the varieties of ardent fpirits may be regarded 

 as diluted alcohol, yet each has a peculiar operation : thus, 



brandy 



