256 
ON THE HEAVY OIL OF WINE. 
The second sample, when agitated with water, separated into 
two portions, one of which was aqueous and the other ethereal. 
The latter exposed to the air, to separate the ether by spontaneous 
evaporation, left a residue which was completely soluble in water, 
and proved to be alcohol. The price of this mixture of alcohol 
and ether was $4.50 per pound. 
The third sample when agitated with water, became slightly 
turbid, and was dissolved. It had a pale yellow color, ethereal 
odor, and the sp. gr. was .909. A portion of it exposed twelve 
hours to spontaneous evaporation in a graduated measure, lost one- 
eighth of its bulk, and on the application of a taper, burned with 
a blue flame. It is quite evident that this also was alcohol with 
a small portion of ether, and a trace of oil. The price of this was 
$4.50 per pound, and it was labelled " 01. Aetherii." It bore 
also the name of the importers. 
The fourth sample, when agitated with water, became slightly 
turbid, and dissolved. It was colorless, had an ethereal odor, and 
the sp. gr. was .844. This also burned with a blue flame. The 
price of this worthless article was $6.50 per pound. It was la- 
belled " 01. Vini Pur," and bore also the name of the London 
manufacturer. 
It may be well to remark, that the officinal oil of wine, when 
agitated with water, separates and falls to the bottom, being 
heavier than water, whence its name. Thesp. gr. of the pure oil 
is not less than 1.05, and it has a yellow color. 
The labels on the third and fourth samples above mentioned, 
are alone not sufficient evidence to prove that they were imported, 
but, in addition to the label, I was informed that one of them was 
recently imported, and also that the manufacturing Chemists in 
this country do not make or sell the oil of wine. In view of this 
statement (if true) the question naturally arises : How did the 
above worthless articles pass the Custom House under the exist- 
ing law for " the prevention of the importation of spurious and 
adulterated drugs ?" 
I have examined another sample which is not offered for sale 
as oil of wine, but as it has properties resembling more nearly the 
officinal oil than either of tin; four samples above mentioned, it 
might possibly be confounded with the oil of wine. This sample 
had an agreeable vinous odor, and a yellow color. When agitated 
