ON THE NAPTHA OF DR. HASTINGS. 
195 
or acetone. It resembles alcohol more closely than pyroxy- 
lic spirit, having nearly the same density, and is miscible 
in all proportions with water without producing milkiness. 
This fluid is also sold under the name of Naptha. It is 
applicable to most purposes for which pyroxylic or wood 
spirit is used, and is often substituted for the latter. This 
is the kind of Naptha which Dr. Hastings uses." 
As it is probable that this substance will be sought after 
by physicians it has been thought proper to append the fol- 
lowing notice of the mode of preparing it, taken from the 
excellent work of Graham, viz.: " Acetone may be conve- 
niently prepared by distilling a mixture of two parts of 
acetate of lead and one of quick lime in a salt-glazed jar, the 
lower part of the jar being coated with fire-clay, and a 
bent glass tube half an inch in diameter, adapted to the 
mouth by a cork, so as to form a distillatory apparatus. 
The jar is supported in the mouth of a small furnace, by 
which the lower part of the jar only is heated to redness, 
and the vapors conducted into a Liebig's condenser. The 
residue is redistilled from quick lime repeatedly, till its 
boiling point is constant at 132°. 
" Acetone is a limpid, colorless liquid, having a peculiar 
penetrating and slightly empyreumatic odor. Its density 
in the liquid state is almost the same as that of alcohol, 
0.7921, and the density of its vapor being 2022, air being 
1000; its taste is disagreeable, and analogous to that of pep- 
permint. It is miscible in all proportions with water, al- 
cohol, and ether. Many salts which are soluble in alcohol 
and water, are insoluble in acetone, particularly chloride of 
calcium and hydrate of potash ; acetone is separated from 
water by dissolving such salts in the mixture of these li- 
quids. Acetone is highly inflammable, and burns with a 
white flame." 
The above notice is sufficiently explanatory, and gives a 
formula easily followed by those desirous of giving it a 
trial. W. P. 
