154 
METHYLATED SPIRIT OF WINE. 
heat. The evolved gases are to be collected over mercury, 
and will be found to consist of the oxide of methyle, mixed 
w ith carbonic and sulphurous acids : these last are to be 
abstracted by potassa, or milk of lime. 
Oxide of methyle is a colourless gas, of an ethereal odour, 
inflammable, burning with a pale, blue flame. Sp. gr. 1*59, 
and is not liquefied at 0°. Composition . C 2 H 3 0=23, or Me. O. 
It is thus seen to be isomeric with alcohol, the difference 
being dependent upon the different densities of their 
hydro-carbon, the H, C, which form 1 atom of alcoholic 
hydro-carbon, forming 2 atoms of methylitic hydro-carbon. 
Pyroxilic alcohol , or wood spirit , alcohol of wood , or the oxide 
of the hydrate of methyle, C 2 H 4 0 2 = 32, or Me, O, + HO = 32, 
is the result of the distillation of wood in the formation of 
acetic acid. Of this compound a very variable portion passes 
over, not amounting on an average to more than 1 per cent. 
It has to be re-distilled and rectified over lime, when it occurs 
as a limpid liquid of a peculiar odour, resembling alcohol, and 
acetic ether. Taste, hot and pungent, something like strong 
peppermint ; inflammable, burning with a pale flame ; boils 
at 150°, and mixes in all proportions with w T ater, ether, and 
rectified spirit. Sulphur and phosphorus are to a certain 
extent, soluble in it, and it dissolves the resins ; hence, it 
may be used as a substitute for alcohol. It is a powerful 
antiseptic, and has been found an effective preservative of 
subjects for dissection. It may likewise be used as a thera- 
peutic agent. 
The only instance which w 7 e are acquainted with of 
pyroxilic spirit having been given internally, has been com- 
municated to us in the follow ing note : 
Towyn, near Machynlleth. 
Dear Sir, -—Remembering your suggestion, when a pupil, of the desira- 
bility of giving a trial to pyroxilic spirit as an internal remedy, I have been 
induced to do so in two cases as follow : 
About a fortnight ago, a mare of ours, two years old, got into a 
ditch, and was there for some hours before she was taken out, when she 
was, as might be expected, very cold and stiff. I ordered her to be 
well cleaned, then hand-rubbed until dry, and afterwards to be warmly 
clothed. I then gave her §ijss of naphtha in warm gruel. In a few hours 
after, I went to see her, when I found her very warm, especially under the 
clothes, where, indeed, the skin felt damp as if she had perspired ; she also 
looked quite lively, and was eating. In a short time after, the skin was dry, 
and not so warm. I thought that the naphtha here, had a diaphoretic effect ; 
but it was impossible to speak positively, as she might have not been 
rubbed quite dry enough at first. Yesterday, another trial of the agent 
was made by me. A cream-coloured two-year-old colt was selected, which 
appeared to be in good health, and to which, at nine o’clock a.m., naphtha, ^ij, 
